Quantum computing has provided new insights into the geometric phase, a fundamental aspect of photochemical reactions. Two research teams have independently demonstrated how the geometric phase can be measured using quantum simulators. By manipulating trapped ions, the teams were able to directly observe the effect of the geometric phase on the spatial distribution of the ions' wavefunctions. These findings could enhance scientists' understanding of light-driven processes such as photosynthesis, smog formation, and ozone destruction, and have implications for controlling reaction outcomes in multi-product reactions. The research highlights the potential of quantum computing in solving complex chemistry problems.
Researchers at Duke University have used a quantum simulator, developed from research in quantum computing, to observe a quantum effect known as a conical intersection in light-absorbing molecules. This effect governs the motion of electrons between energy states and has implications for processes such as photosynthesis and vision. By slowing down the simulated molecular quantum effects by a billion times, the researchers were able to directly measure the geometric phase, a mathematical constraint that determines certain molecular transformations. The results provide insights into the inner workings of complex quantum systems and demonstrate the potential of quantum computers in investigating fundamental science.
Researchers at Duke University have used a quantum simulator, developed from research in quantum computing, to observe a quantum effect called a conical intersection in the way light-absorbing molecules interact with incoming photons. This observation method addresses a fundamental question in chemistry and provides insights into processes such as photosynthesis and vision. The results demonstrate how advances in quantum computing are being used to investigate fundamental science.
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.
