Oxford team simulates quantum effect on hybrid computer

Oxford physicists have used a hybrid quantum computer—one that combines qubits with quantum oscillators—to simulate the Aharonov–Bohm effect, a foundational quantum phenomenon involving magnetic fields. The team encoded magnetic flux in entangled qubits, then observed quantum interference that classical computers struggle to model. Their work, published in Nature Physics, shows that hybrid quantum systems can directly simulate interactions between matter and gauge fields beyond the reach of standard computation.

• Hybrid system used both qubits and oscillators
• Simulated Aharonov–Bohm effect, a fundamental quantum phenomenon
• Magnetic flux encoded in entangled qubits
• Direct simulation bypasses classical computational limits