Quantum computing talks

Free quantum computing

Robin Kaarsgaard

Associate Professor, University of Southern Denmark

Overview

What if we rethink quantum computing from the ground up? In this talk, Robin Kaarsgaard Sales introduces a new model of quantum computing that replaces the traditional mathematical framework with discrete structures and category theory. This approach offers new ways to understand, verify, and optimise quantum programs, and points toward more reliable and scalable quantum software in the future.

Abstract

In this QUBITS Seminar, Associate Professor Robin Kaarsgaard Sales presents a “free” model of quantum computing that rethinks the foundations of the field. Instead of relying on continuous postulates and linear algebra as the primary framework, the approach replaces them with discrete equations and category theory. This perspective isolates the source of quantum advantage and provides new tools for combinatorial optimisation, automated verification, and formal reasoning about quantum programs. The model can be interpreted as a programming language for quantum computers with the same expressive power as the standard circuit model, while offering stronger guarantees for correctness and reasoning.

Slides are available from this lecture:

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Bio

Robin Kaarsgaard is associate professor of computer science at the University of Southern Denmark, where he works on quantum foundations and on developing the programming languages that will power future large-scale quantum computers.

He is principal investigator of the DFF: Sapere Aude project “FunQ: Quantum Programming Beyond the Circuit Model,” and associated with the Centre for Quantum Mathematics and Centre for Formal Methods and Future Computing.

Before accepting a position at the University of Southern Denmark, Kaarsgaard held positions at the University of Edinburgh and the University of Copenhagen, where he also received his PhD.