There is a deep connection between Physics and Computation. Indeed, any computation can be represented as a physical process. In 1981, Richard Feynman rasied some provocative question in connection to the simulation of physical phenomena using a special device called a "Quantum Computer". Such a device was intended to mimic physical processes exactly the same as Nature, and thus shared those "spooky" features of quantum physics. Remars coming from such an influential figure generated widespread interest in these ideas, and today, more than three decades after, there are still open questions. What kind of physical phenomena can be mimicked? How? And what are its limitations? I will address these questions in the broader context of what is currently known as quantum information science.

Refreshments will be served in CP179 at 3:15 PM