2023-12-12 13:17:13
The theoretical physicist Carlos Sabín of the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) has carried out a simulation in a IBM quantum computer which could be useful on the way to proving that gravity is a quantum force.
Although an actual experiment has not yet been performed, this advance represents a step toward a better understanding of the quantum nature of gravity.
The study, published in the journal EPJ Quantum Technologyreveals how experimental groups could use these findings to empirically verify the quantum character of the gravitational field.
Experimental groups could use the results of this simulation to empirically verify the quantum character of the gravitational field.
“Although the experimental proposals to generate entanglement through gravity are still beyond our current technological capabilities, it is conceivable that this will change in a few years, Sabín advances.
“This evolution would allow a direct verification of the quantum aspects of gravity,” he adds, “but, in the meantime, I have turned to one of IBM’s quantum computers to simulate these experiments.”
Towards a quantum theory of gravity
To date, we do not have a quantum theory of gravity, unlike other fundamental forces such as electromagnetism. There are theoretical proposals, such as the famous string theorybut its experimental verification remains outside the reach of current technologies.
Recently, a more modest approach has been developed which aims to simply demonstrate the quantum nature of gravitywithout needing to reveal the entire underlying quantum theory.
This approach is based on the idea that, if it is possible to generate quantum entanglement between systems governed by quantum physics through purely gravitational means, we could confirm that the gravity It is, in fact, a quantum forceeven without knowing the complete theory.
If quantum entanglement is achieved between systems governed by quantum physics through gravitational means, it could be confirmed that gravity is a quantum force
“He entanglement is the term we use to describe certain correlations between measurement results that are only possible in quantum systems. These correlations are extremely useful for the development of new technologies, including quantum computers,” explains Sabín.
As part of his research, Sabín translated the results of a specific experiment – carried out by scientists from University College London (United Kingdom) and the University of Groningen (Netherlands) – into the language of the quantum bits (qubits) and the transformations between them (quantum logic gates). He then implemented the simulation over the Internet on a quantum computer and analyzed the results, comparing them with theoretical ideals.
“Using modern techniques to ‘mitigate’ experimental errors, I have verified that the results obtained are practically identical to the theoretical ones. This indicates that the entanglement generated between the qubits would be equivalent to what gravity would have generated between quantum systems in a real experiment,” concludes the researcher.
Rights: Creative Commons.
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