The standard model of particle physics is our best theory of the fundamental particles and forces that make up our world.
Particles and antiparticles such as electrons and positrons are described as quantum magnetic fields. They interact through other force fields, such as electromagnetic forces that couple charged particles.
To understand these quantum fields and the behavior of our universe, researchers perform complex computer simulations of quantum field theory.
Unfortunately, many of these calculations are too complicated for even our best supercomputers, pose a huge challenge for quantum computers, and do not answer many pressing questions.
Using a new type of quantum computer, the theoretical group led by Martin Ringbauer’s experimental team at Innsbruck University and Christine Muschik of IQC at Waterloo University, Canada simulated complete quantum field theory in multiple spatial dimensions.
The natural expression of quantum fields
The challenge of quantum field theory simulations to quantum computers arises from the need to capture fields that represent interparticle forces, such as electromagnetic forces between charged particles.
These fields point in different directions and vary in muscle strength and excitation. These objects do not fit well with the Zero, which is the basis of today’s classical and quantum computers, and the traditional binary computing paradigm based on them.
New advances were possible through the combination of a Quadit quantum computer developed at innsbruck and a Quadit algorithm developed at Waterloo to simulate basic particle interactions.
This approach is based on using up to five values per information carrier, and not just zeros, but also efficient information storage and processing. Such quantum computers are ideally suited to the challenge of representing complex quantum fields in particle physics calculations.
“Our approach allows for natural representations of quantum fields and makes calculations more efficient,” explained the study’s lead author, Michael Mess.
This allowed the team to observe the fundamental features of quantum electrodynamics in two spatial dimensions.
Steps close to understanding particle physics
The creation of particle antiparticle pairs was demonstrated in 2016 by Innsbruck.
“In that demonstration, we simplified the problem by restricting particles to travel on the line. Removing this limit is an important step in understanding basic particle interactions using quantum computers,” says Christine Muschik.
“In addition to the behavior of the particles, we also see magnetic fields between the particles. This can only be present when the particles are not limited to moving on the line and bringing important steps to approach nature research,” added Martin Ringbauer.
New work on quantum electrodynamics is just the beginning. There are even fewer kudits, allowing the current results to be extended not only to three-dimensional models, but also to a powerful nuclear force that includes many of the remaining mysteries of physics.
Ringbauer said, “We are excited by the potential contribution of quantum computers that contribute to the study of these fascinating questions.”
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