Quantum Meet Quantum: Hybrid Quantum Computer Lets Scientists Peak in on Foundational Quantum Effect
Physicists at the University of Oxford have utilized a hybrid quantum computer to simulate the Aharonov-Bohm effect, a quantum phenomenon involving magnetic flux. This experiment demonstrates the potential for quantum systems to model complex lattice gauge theories that are computationally prohibitive for classical machines.
Why it matters
Advancements in quantum simulation provide a new pathway for solving fundamental physics problems that classical supercomputers cannot handle.
PRESS RELEASE — Physicists in the Department of Physics, University of Oxford , have used a hybrid quantum computer, formed by qubits and quantum oscillators, to observe the Aharonov-Bohm effect in a quantum simulation. The effect is a quantum phenomenon in which a particle can acquire a measurable phase by travelling around a magnetic flux, even though it never passes through a region where a magnetic field is present.
The result demonstrates how hybrid quantum systems can be used to simulate interactions between matter and gauge fields that become increasingly difficult to model on classical computers. The paper has been published in Nature Physics .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in