How a Chinese team used quantum tech to follow electrons on the superconductor trail

Scientists built a device to simulate movement of the subatomic particles – a task that defies even the best supercomputers

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The fermionic Hubbard model simulator completed a task well beyond the capacity of classical computers. Illustration: Handout

Published: 9:00am, 12 Jul 2024

A Chinese team has built a quantum computer that can simulate the movement of electrons in a solid-state material, a task that could be a springboard for applications that are so far well beyond the ability of the world’s fastest supercomputers.

Tracking such subatomic particles is central to a number of scientific questions, such as what makes magnets attract each other. Unlocking such fundamental science could help crack the code to creating high-temperature superconducting materials, potentially revolutionising electricity transmission and transport.

“Our achievement demonstrates the capabilities of quantum simulators to exceed those of classical computers, marking a milestone in the second stage of China’s quantum computing research,” team leader Pan Jianwei said in a statement from the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Thursday.

The research was published in Nature on Wednesday. Pan, from the University of Science and Technology of China, co-authored the paper with USTC colleagues Chen Yuao and Yao Xingcan.

The Nature reviewers described the work as “an important step forward for the field”.

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There are three generally accepted stages in the evolution of quantum computing.