Physicists have made a breakthrough in quantum computing by simulating high-energy particle interactions using qudits, which can store information in multiple states simultaneously. The research, published in Nature Physics, uses qutrits (three-state units) and ququints (five-state units) to model the behavior of electromagnetic fields.
The development is significant because it could enable quantum computers to predict phenomena in particle colliders or chemical reactions that are currently beyond ordinary computer calculations. According to Christine Muschik, a co-author of the paper, qdits are naturally suited for this task.
While the qudit approach is not a solution to all problems, it helps when suitable, and can make calculations more efficient and less prone to errors. However, it also comes with challenges, as Martin Ringbauer notes that qdits are more complicated to work with than traditional qubits.
The method is feasible in most types of quantum computers, which can already operate as qutrits or high-dimensional qudits. The researchers used a superconducting quantum chip and calcium ions to encode their five-level ququints.
This development has the potential to improve the performance of quantum computers, making them more scalable and efficient.
Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00939-x