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A 256-atom quantum simulator explores new arrangements of matter

Jul 7, 2021

Researchers led by Harvard and MIT build a programmable quantum simulator with up to 256 neutral atoms in a two-dimensional array. By tuning the atoms' interactions, they create and study several quantum phases, or distinct arrangements of matter.

Why it matters

Programmable arrays expand from one-dimensional chains to hundreds of atoms in two dimensions, enabling experiments on more complex quantum materials.

Sepehr Ebadi · Mikhail Lukin · Vladan Vuletic · Harvard · MIT · QuEra

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Related

• Harvard and MIT use 51 atoms to simulate quantum matter (Nov 30, 2017)
• Harvard-led team runs algorithms on up to 48 logical qubits made of atoms (Dec 6, 2023)