Quantum computer simulates matter “popping into existence”

What happened

Scientists recreated a particle-forming process linked to the extreme physics of the early universe using a 13-ion quantum simulator. Science News from research organizations Quantum computer simulates matter “popping into existence” Scientists used a quantum computer to simulate particles seemingly “popping into existence,” opening a new window into the physics of the early universe.

Date: September 26, 2026 Source: Duke University Summary: Scientists recreated a particle-forming process linked to the extreme physics of the early universe using a 13-ion quantum simulator. The experiment simulated a process known as string breaking, in which two connected building blocks of matter are pulled apart until so much energy accumulates that new particles can effectively "pop into existence" when the connection breaks.

The study was carried out by an international collaboration that included researchers from the University of Maryland (UMD), Oxford University, California Institute of Technology, Cornell University and KU Leuven. Why Quarks Cannot Simply Be Pulled Apart Quarks are among the most fundamental known building blocks of matter.