Quantum Device Slows Simulated Chemical Reaction by 100 Billion Times
Scientists at the University of Sydney achieved a groundbreaking feat by leveraging a quantum computer to observe and manipulate a crucial chemical reaction process, slowing it down by an astonishing factor of 100 billion.
Unlocking New Frontiers in Science and Technology
The pioneering research conducted by University of Sydney scientists using a quantum computer holds transformative potential for fields like materials science, drug design, and solar energy harvesting, offering insights into fundamental processes within molecules.
Understanding these processes can pave the way for advancements in combating smog, mitigating ozone layer damage, and other applications reliant on molecular interactions with light.
The research team, led by joint lead researcher Vanessa Olaya Agudelo, accomplishes the unprecedented feat of directly observing a geometric phenomenon known as a “conical intersection” in chemical dynamics, a challenge that has persisted since the 1950s.
Conquering Timescale Challenges through Quantum Innovation
To surmount the obstacle of ultra-rapid timescales, the researchers ingeniously employ a trapped-ion quantum computer, applying a novel approach to slowing down the process by an astounding factor of 100 billion, effectively extending the timescale from femtoseconds to milliseconds.
This pioneering technique opens the door to meaningful observation and provides crucial insights into the dynamics of processes that were previously beyond direct experimental reach.
Dr. Christophe Valahu, another lead author, likens the achievement to studying wind patterns around a plane wing in a wind tunnel. Through this quantum-enabled experimentation, the researchers delve into the realm of ‘geometric phase’ dynamics, which had remained elusive due to their extreme speed.
Unveiling the Essence of Photochemical Reactions
The groundbreaking research has direct implications for processes like photosynthesis, where lightning-fast energy transfer occurs in molecules. By decelerating these processes in the quantum computer, the researchers uncover distinctive features associated with conical intersections in photochemistry.
This revelation sheds light on the hallmarks of these reactions, previously theorized but never observed, enhancing our comprehension of ultrafast molecular dynamics.
Synergistic Collaboration and Quantum Advancements
The collaboration between chemistry theorists and experimental quantum physicists leads to this remarkable achievement, where the computational prowess of quantum technologies is harnessed to tackle a longstanding challenge in chemistry.
Associate Professor Ivan Kassal, a co-author and research team leader, highlights the pivotal role of the University’s cutting-edge programmable quantum computer, provided by the Quantum Control Laboratory of Professor Michael Biercuk.
This groundbreaking accomplishment marks a significant stride in both quantum research and chemistry. It empowers scientists to observe and manipulate previously inaccessible processes, offering a profound understanding of fundamental dynamics and their applications in various scientific and technological domains.
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Read more: The First Application of a Swedish Quantum Computer to Chemistry has Taken Place.
