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• The Mathematics of Two-Party Quantum Coin-Flipping

  Speaker: Carl A. Miller (UMD) - http://camiller.iacs.umd.edu
  

  When: Wed, November 13, 2019 - 2:00pm
  Where: Iribe 5105
  

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  Abstract: How can two parties who are at a distance from one another carry out a fair coin flip? This problem has been an object of study for decades. Previous research has shown that coin flipping with positive bias (i.e., coin-flipping which permits a limited amount of cheating) is possible if the parties share a quantum information channel. Yet, proving quantum coin-flipping with bias tending to zero is mysteriously hard -- the only known protocol requires more than an exponential amount of communication.
  
  This talk will be about a new result which untangles the mystery of why quantum coin-flipping is difficult. We will draw on some unexpected topics in mathematics (including the behavior of rational functions on complex numbers). Since this talk is aimed for a broad audience, the first half will be spent covering fundamental concepts and giving a detailed description of the central problem. The talk is based on https://arxiv.org/abs/1909.10103 .
  
• Reading Group on Interactive Proofs and the Connes Embedding Problem

  Speaker: Carl Miller (University of Maryland) - http://camiller.iacs.umd.edu
  

  When: Wed, February 5, 2020 - 4:00pm
  Where: Iribe 5105
  

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  Abstract: The recent paper "MIP*=RE" (arXiv:2001.04383) showed that, remarkably, quantum interactive proofs have essentially unlimited computational power. In the process, it refuted the longstanding Connes embedding conjecture. The goal of this group is to deconstruct some of the tools used in "MIP*=RE" (and its predecessors) and to study Connes' embedding problem. The first meeting will be an organizational meeting. All are welcome.
  
  http://camiller.iacs.umd.edu/Qinteractive.html
  
• Quantum correlations and computational complexity classes

  Speaker: Carl Miller and Honghao Fu (UMD) - http://camiller.iacs.umd.edu/
  

  When: Wed, February 19, 2020 - 4:00pm
  Where: Iribe 5105
  

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  Abstract: Section 1 of "MIP*=RE", arXiv:2001.04383
  
• Introduction to von Neumann Algebras and the Connes Embedding Problem

  Speaker: Jonathan Rosenberg (UMD) - https://www.math.umd.edu/~jmr/
  

  When: Wed, March 4, 2020 - 4:15pm
  Where: Iribe 5105
  

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  Abstract: I'll start with a quickie course on von Neumann algebras, for which a suitable reference might be Vaughan Jones' course notes, available at https://math.vanderbilt.edu/jonesvf/. Then I will state several equivalent forms of the Connes Embedding Problem, for which a good reference is arXiv:1003.2076.