Harnessing Topological Physics to Protect Quantum Information Processing

In this talk I will review the basic features of topological states of matter, focusing on the stability of their physical properties to external perturbations. I will then describe how this stability may be harnessed to protect quantum information processing, and will give examples for physical systems that may realize such protection. My examples will include the physics of semi-conductors in two dimensions under a strong magnetic field (Quantum Hall Effect), and the physics of electrons in hybrid systems of semi-conductors and super-conductors.