Abstract

Recent decades have seen significant progress in quantum information and computation, both at the abstract level of qubits as well as in the laboratory, where rudimentary proof of concept devices and small scale systems have been demonstrated. However, while commercial QKD systems are becoming viable, useful large scale quantum computers appear to be some distance away. The problem of scaling up to large interconnected quantum information processing systems remains a major challenge for quantum technology researchers.

This talk will discuss a number of aspects of modelling that are relevant to this scale up issue, with a particular emphasis on input-output models. We review pertinent features of hierarchical modelling for classical information systems, and discuss their implications for quantum information. The talk reports on some recent model development for quantum memories and nonclassical sources.