Scientists used quantum computing to test radiation proposed by Stephen Hawking

According to a new study published in the scientific journal Nature Communications, Scientists have succeeded in simulating the physics of black holes using quantum computing. The researchers explain that they were able to achieve success using concepts proposed by physicist Stephen Hawking, who became internationally acclaimed for his participation in the science dissemination community.

A team of Chinese scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tianjin University, Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences used Hawking radiation experiments to create a black hole simulation using quantum computing. The team was also assisted by researchers from Pioneer Research, the RIKEN Cluster institute in Japan.

Simulation was only possible. due to a quantum computer specially developed by the team, built with a superconducting processor. The superconductor was fabricated with a chain of 10 quantum bits (qubits) and nine adjustable couplers.

“The results show that there is always a probability that the half-particle inside the analog black hole will radiate from the event horizon, and the radiation probability meets the characteristic of Hawking radiation,” said the Institute of Theoretical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. . . in an article on research progress.

What is Hawking radiation?

The theory proposed by Stephen Hawking in 1974 explains that black holes emit thermal radiation due to quantum effects; It is not in vain that the phenomenon is called Hawking radiation. Until now, Hawking radiation has been very difficult to observe in space, so Chinese researchers have used quantum computing to simulate these effects.

As the team explains, when a radiation particle falls into a black hole, it cannot escape the power of the event horizon. But, In the case of quantum effects, the particle slowly escapes outward, causing Hawking radiation.. This is exactly how black holes lose energy and eventually ‘die’.

The study explains that the behavior of Hawking radiation has been successfully simulated and verified by measuring all qubits protruding beyond the horizon. That’s why scientists say they’re more encouraged to continue exploring and studying black hole simulations.

“[A simulação] “The team marks another step towards the creation of quantum systems with properties similar to those of black holes.”