The behavior of matter under extreme conditions, such as inside neutron stars or during particle collisions, is a major puzzle in nuclear physics. Classical computers cannot simulate such systems at all due to exponentially growing computational complexity. However, researchers have completed the largest digital quantum simulation in history using scalable quantum circuits with over 100 qubits, successfully overcoming this challenge and opening up new paths for exploring deep cosmic physical laws and designing new materials.

Key Findings

1. Classical Computers’ "Achilles Heel": Computational Bottleneck in Extreme Physics Simulation
   Based on the Standard Model of particle physics, we have equations describing fundamental interactions like the strong nuclear force. But when the simulation object expands from a single particle to a multi-particle system, the number of possible states grows exponentially. The binary storage method of classical computers requires more memory than the total number of atoms in the Milky Way, making it completely infeasible.
2. Quantum Computers’ Core Breakthrough: Solving the Initial Quantum State Puzzle
   The biggest challenge in quantum simulation is preparing the "initial quantum state"—such as the vacuum state before particle collisions (not empty, but a dynamic system full of virtual particles and forces). By modular design, researchers split the complex system into locally correlated "quantum Lego bricks," first verifying the correctness of small modules with classical computers, then assembling them into large-scale circuits with over 100 qubits, successfully preparing accurate initial states.
3. The Largest Digital Quantum Simulation Ever: Verifying Key Physical Models
   The research team simulated the one-dimensional Schwinger model (a simplified version of quantum electrodynamics containing core physics like strong interactions and particle creation) on IBM’s quantum hardware. They not only successfully prepared the vacuum state and hadrons (particles like protons and neutrons composed of quarks) but also simulated the time evolution of hadron pulses, fully replicating real physical processes in particle accelerators with accuracy expected to reach the scientific gold standard (percent-level).
4. Broad Application Prospects: From Cosmic Mysteries to New Materials
   This technological breakthrough can answer many major scientific questions: why matter prevailed over antimatter after the Big Bang, how heavy elements form inside supernovae, and the state of matter deep inside neutron stars. Additionally, the scalable quantum circuit technology developed can be applied to fields like quantum memory and room-temperature superconductor design, solving other complex quantum problems.
5. Quantum Advantage in Practice: A Key Step from Theory to Application
   This simulation proves that quantum computers not only have theoretical advantages but can also solve problems in practical physics research that classical computers cannot touch. It marks the transition of quantum simulation from "small-scale verification" to "large-scale practical use," laying the foundation for future exploration of more unknown physical laws and promoting interdisciplinary innovation.

Summary

With scalable circuits of over 100 qubits, quantum computers have broken through the computational bottleneck in extreme nuclear physics simulation, providing a powerful tool for humans to explore deep cosmic mysteries and solve complex scientific problems. Curious about how quantum simulation helps uncover the origin of the universe and design revolutionary materials? Tune in to this episode!