New quantum computer uncovers subatomic particle dynamics

Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding subatomic particles using advanced quantum computing. The standard model of particle physics explains how matter and antimatter interact through fundamental forces. However, studying these interactions has been difficult because high energy is needed to observe them. To overcome this challenge, researchers from the University of Innsbruck and the University of Waterloo developed a new approach using a type of quantum computing. They utilized "qudits," which are similar to qubits but can store more information. While qubits can be in two states at once, qudits can exist in five states simultaneously. This feature allowed researchers to represent the complex nature of quantum fields more effectively. The study builds on previous work from 2016, when the team investigated electron-positron pairs created from a vacuum. In their new study, they expanded their research to observe particle interactions in two dimensions, rather than just one. This advancement lets scientists study how charged particles interact in a more realistic two-dimensional space. The researchers successfully observed fundamental features of electromagnetic interactions in two dimensions, including how magnetic fields form between moving particles. This progress is an important step toward simulating these interactions in three dimensions, which is closer to the physical world we experience. The team believes that with more qudits, they can study other forces, like the strong nuclear force, which keeps atomic nuclei together. Co-author Martin Ringbauer expressed excitement for the potential of quantum computers to advance research in this field. The study has been published in Nature Physics.