Quantum annealer has simulated the fundamental process of false vacuum decay, opening the window to the understanding of interactions between true vacuum bubbles. (Credit: Professor Zlatko Papic, University of Leeds, (Image created using Povray))
False Vacuum Decay Model Shows Why Our Universe Might Be on Borrowed Time
In a Nutshell
- Scientists used a 5,564-qubit quantum computer to simulate false vacuum decay, a process that could determine the universe’s ultimate fate.
- Researchers created and tracked quantum bubbles up to 306 qubits in size, observing complex interactions for over 1,000 qubit time units.
- This breakthrough highlights how tabletop quantum experiments can advance our understanding of cosmic processes.
LEEDS, England — Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in量子 physics by simulating a phenomenon known as false vacuum decay. This process could have defined the universe’s early moments post-Big Bang and potentially dictate its future.
A team of European researchers employed a massive quantum computer, featuring over 5,500 superconducting qubits, to study false vacuum decay. This phenomenon suggests that the universe, currently stable but not in its lowest energy state, might eventually transition to a permanent, more stable state.
The researchers successfully simulated and studied the formation and interaction of “true vacuum” bubbles within a “false vacuum” state, providing unprecedented insights into fundamental physics and the cosmic origins of our universe.
“We’re talking about a process by which the universe would completely change its structure,” explains Professor Zlatko Papić, a theoretical physicist at the University of Leeds and the lead author of the study. “The fundamental constants could instantaneously shift, leading to a catastrophic collapse. Controlled experiments are needed to observe this process and determine its timeline.”
Nearly 50 Years of Predictions Coming to Light
Physicist Sidney Coleman posited fifty years ago that our universe might have entered a metastable “false vacuum” state after the Big Bang, rather than directly stabilizing in its true vacuum, the lowest-energy state. Over time, the universe could decay into a true vacuum through the expansion of bubbles within the false vacuum, akin to how water vapor condenses into droplets.
Dr. Jean-Yves Desaules, a postdoctoral fellow at ISTA, compares this to a roller coaster with multiple valleys but only one true lowest state. “Quantum mechanics allows the universe to potentially tunnel to this lowest state, leading to a cataclysmic event,” he says.
The Reality of False Vacuum Decay
While the idea of a universe-wide transformation might seem alarming, scientists believe this process, if it occurs, will take millions of years. The true value of this research lies in its ability to study cosmic processes in a controlled laboratory setting.
Traditionally, studying quantum mechanical processes and creating suitable experimental conditions has been challenging. However, researchers from Germany, Austria, the UK, and Slovenia developed a method to simulate false vacuum decay using D-Wave’s quantum annealing device at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre in Germany.
Simulating Quantum Phenomena with Quantum Computers
The quantum annealer serves as a specialized quantum computer, using 5,564 superconducting qubits arranged in a ring configuration. By controlling magnetic fields, researchers created and observed bubble-like structures representative of early universe dynamics and future transitions.
“By leveraging the capabilities of a large quantum annealer, our team has opened a new path to studying non-equilibrium quantum systems and phase transitions that are difficult to explore with traditional computing methods,” says Dr. Jaka Vodeb, the paper’s first author and a postdoctoral researcher at Jülich.
The researchers could observe bubble formation in real-time and study interactions between bubbles, a previously unattainable feat. They found that larger bubbles cannot expand unilaterally but must interact with neighboring bubbles, exchanging energy in a quantum dance.
The behavior of these bubbles was described as a heterogeneous gas, where smaller bubbles bounce among larger ones, interacting directly. These dynamics persisted for over 1,000 qubit time units, demonstrating significant coherence.
Notably, the researchers created and observed bubbles containing up to 306 qubits, a substantial quantum object by today’s standards. This research, published in Nature Physics, highlights the rapid advancement of quantum computing technology.
“This exciting work merges cutting-edge quantum simulation with deep theoretical physics, bringing us closer to solving some of the universe’s biggest mysteries,” notes Professor Papić. “These new tools effectively serve as table-top laboratories to understand fundamental dynamical processes in the universe.”
Paper Summary
Methodology
The researchers used