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06/04/2025 17:05

Quantum Computers Shed Light on the Building Blocks of Nature

Ulrich Meyer Corporate Communications Center
Technische Universität München

    Fundamental forces in nature are described by complex theoretical models. However, understanding them is challenging due to the complexity of simulating these models, which is beyond the capabilities of conventional supercomputers. A research team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Princeton University, and Google Quantum AI has now demonstrated that quantum computers are a powerful tool to investigate such fundamental physics and to glimpse into the dynamics of the building blocks of nature.

    The research, published in the academic journal Nature, represents an essential step in quantum computing and demonstrates its potential by directly simulating fundamental interactions with Google's quantum processor. In the future, researchers could use this approach to gain deeper insights into particle physics, quantum materials, and even the nature of space and time itself. The aim is to understand how nature works at its most fundamental level, described by so-called gauge theories.

    "Our work shows how quantum computers can help us explore the fundamental rules that govern our universe," says co-author Michael Knap, Professor of Collective Quantum Dynamics at the TUM School of Natural Sciences. "By simulating these interactions in the laboratory, we can test theories in new ways."

    Pedram Roushan, co-author of this work from Google Quantum AI emphasizes: “Harnessing the power of the quantum processor, we studied the dynamics of a specific type of gauge theory and observed how particles and the invisible ‘strings’ that connect them evolve over time.”

    Tyler Cochran, first author and graduate student at Princeton, says: “By adjusting effective parameters in the model, we could tune properties of the strings. They can fluctuate strongly, become tightly confined, or even break.” He explains that the data from the quantum processor reveals the hallmark behaviors of such strings, which have direct analogs to phenomena in high-energy particle physics. The results underscore the potential for quantum computers to facilitate scientific discovery in fundamental physics and beyond.

    Further information:

    The research was supported, in part, by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee [grant number EP/Y036069/1], the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy–EXC–2111–390814868, TRR 360 – 492547816, DFG grants No. KN1254/1-2, KN1254/2-1, DFG FOR 5522 Research Unit (project id 499180199), the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 851161 and No. 771537), the European Union (grant agreement No 101169765), as well as the Munich Quantum Valley, which is supported by the Bavarian state government with funds from the Hightech Agenda Bayern Plus.

    Additional material for media outlets:

    Photo for download: https://go.tum.de/792915


    Contact for scientific information:

    Prof. Dr. Michael Knap
    Professor for Collective Quantum Dynamics
    Technical University of Munich
    TUM School of Natural Sciences
    +49 89 289 53777
    michael.knap@ph.tum.de

    Prof. Dr. Frank Pollmann
    Professorship of Theoretical Solid-State Physics
    Technical University of Munich
    TUM School of Natural Sciences
    +49 89 289 53760
    frank.pollmann@tum.de

    Dr. Pedram Roushan
    Google Quantum AI,
    Mountain View, CA, USA
    +1 609 649 2317
    pedramr@google.com


    Original publication:

    T. A. Cochran, B. Jobst, E. Rosenberg, et al. Visualizing dynamics and charges in strings in (2+1)D lattice gauge theories, Nature, June 4, 2025, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-25-08999-9


    Images

    Quantum Computers Shed Light on the Building Blocks of Nature
    Quantum Computers Shed Light on the Building Blocks of Nature
    TUM School of Natural Sciences
    TUM School of Natural Sciences


    Criteria of this press release:
    Journalists
    Information technology, Mathematics, Physics / astronomy
    transregional, national
    Transfer of Science or Research
    English


     

    Quantum Computers Shed Light on the Building Blocks of Nature


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