In this course, we give an introduction to quantum mechanics from an information-theoretic perspective. This means, we focus on the concept of “information” and how it changes when admitting quantum mechanics. For instance, as will be shown, quantum information cannot be copied in general, in contrast to its classical counter part. We will show several surprising consequences of the existence of quantum information and its properties. A highlight of this will be the existence of an “unbreakable” encryption scheme. We will also turn the question around and ask: what consequences does the concept of information have to quantum mechanics and to any possible theory of physics, and we show how a natural assumption on the behavior of information gives a partial answer to the question why quantum mechanics is the way it is.
A (tentative) list of topics is as follows: no-cloning theorem, entanglement, quantum teleportation, nonlocality, pseudo-telepathy, information causality, entropy measures, privacy amplification, and quantum key distribution.
Prior knowledge of quantum mechanics may be helpful, but is certainly not necessary. Basic knowledge of complex linear algebra and probability theory is sufficient.