Project 3: The Quantum Bridge (Teleportation)

Build a teleportation circuit and verify state transfer.

Project Overview

Attribute Value
Difficulty Level 2: Intermediate
Time Estimate Weekend
Main Language Python
Alternative Languages Q#, Java
Knowledge Area Entanglement and measurement
Tools Qiskit or Cirq
Main Book “Quantum Computation and Quantum Information” by Nielsen & Chuang

What you’ll build: A teleportation circuit that moves an arbitrary qubit state using entanglement and classical bits.

Why it teaches quantum: Teleportation demonstrates entanglement and measurement-driven correction.

Core challenges you’ll face:

  • Preparing arbitrary input states
  • Applying corrective gates based on measurement
  • Verifying fidelity of transferred state

Real World Outcome

You will teleport a test state and confirm the output matches the input within expected probabilities.

Example Output:

$ python teleport.py --state "0.6+0.8j"
Teleportation fidelity: 0.99

Verification steps:

  • Test multiple input states
  • Compare output probabilities to input

The Core Question You’re Answering

“How can information move without the qubit itself traveling?”

Teleportation is the clearest demonstration of entanglement utility.

Concepts You Must Understand First

Stop and research these before coding:

  1. Bell pairs
    • How do entangled pairs enable teleportation?
    • Book Reference: Nielsen & Chuang, Ch. 2
  2. Measurement and correction
    • Why are classical bits required for corrections?
    • Book Reference: Nielsen & Chuang, Ch. 1
  3. State fidelity
    • How do you compare two quantum states?
    • Book Reference: Nielsen & Chuang, Ch. 9

Questions to Guide Your Design

  1. State preparation
    • How will you parameterize arbitrary states?
    • Will you use Bloch sphere angles?
  2. Verification
    • Will you use statevector comparison or measurement statistics?
    • How will you handle probabilistic outcomes?

Thinking Exercise

Teleportation Steps

List the three main steps of teleportation: entangle, measure, correct.

Questions while working:

  • Why is classical communication required?
  • What happens if corrections are skipped?

The Interview Questions They’ll Ask

Prepare to answer these:

  1. “What is quantum teleportation?”
  2. “Why does teleportation require classical bits?”
  3. “How do you verify teleportation success?”
  4. “What role does entanglement play?”
  5. “Can teleportation be faster than light?”

Hints in Layers

Hint 1: Starting Point Start with teleporting |0> and |1> states.

Hint 2: Next Level Add arbitrary state preparation with rotations.

Hint 3: Technical Details Conditionally apply X/Z corrections based on measurement bits.

Hint 4: Tools/Debugging Compare statevectors before and after teleportation.

Books That Will Help

Topic Book Chapter
Teleportation Nielsen & Chuang Ch. 1
Entanglement Nielsen & Chuang Ch. 2
Fidelity Nielsen & Chuang Ch. 9

Implementation Hints

  • Use a simulator to access statevectors.
  • Keep measurement and correction steps explicit.
  • Test with random states to check fidelity.

Learning Milestones

  1. First milestone: You can teleport basis states.
  2. Second milestone: You can teleport arbitrary states.
  3. Final milestone: You can explain why teleportation works.