Postdoctoral fellow, Institute for Quantum Computing
Since classical computers face limitations while modelling on how many particles interact, Quantum computers are just what is needed to move physics beyond those roadblocks.
Understanding how matter behaves under extreme conditions remains one of the biggest challenges in modern physics. Classical supercomputers can model many physical systems, but they struggle when multiple particles interact at very high density and temperature. These limits make it difficult to study conditions similar to those present just after the big bang, creating a strong need for new computing approaches.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing have taken a step toward addressing this challenge. Using a quantum computer, the team successfully simulated key aspects of quantum chromodynamics. It explains how quarks interact with each other. This theory underpins the stability of all matter and is essential for understanding large, dense systems such as the early universe.
The simulation focused on controlling matter density and temperature which are extremely difficult to manage using classical methods. To achieve this, the team introduced two major innovations. One method applies a correction step after the simulation to ensure the results follow fundamental symmetry rules found in nature. The second encodes information into the natural motion of ions, a resource that is usually unused in quantum computing. Together, these techniques allow more efficient use of existing quantum hardware and effectively double the available computing space.
While quantum computers are often associated with risks such as breaking encryption, this research highlights their growing value in advancing scientific discovery. Simulating complex particle interactions could unlock answers to long standing questions in physics that remain beyond the reach of classical computers.
Dr. Abhijit Chakraborty, Postdoctoral Fellow, Institute for Quantum Computing says, “There is so much about nature that we still do not understand. For large and dense systems like the early universe, controlling parameters such as temperature and density is essential, and our method enables that.”
