Quantum Device Slows Simulated Chemical Reaction by 100 Billion Times

Scientists at the University of Sydney have used a quantum computer to slow down a chemical reaction by a factor of 100 billion times, allowing them to directly observe and study a process critical in chemical reactions called a "conical intersection." This breakthrough could have implications for materials science, drug design, and solar energy harvesting, as well as improving our understanding of processes like smog formation and ozone layer damage. The experiment involved mapping the complex problem onto a trapped-ion quantum computer, enabling the researchers to observe and measure the dynamics of the chemical reaction in a way that has never been done before.