Quantum computing techniques can simulate natural phenomena and potentially supersede classical simulation methods, Eleanor Crane and Alexander Schuckert said.
This shift is significant because traditional computers struggle to model the quantum behavior of atoms and molecules. Achieving faithful simulations of the natural world is considered impossible using ordinary computers [2].
Dr. Eleanor Crane, a lecturer in quantum computing at King's College London, and Alexander Schuckert, an associate professor at École Normale Supérieure in Paris, detailed these applications in a recent Computerphile presentation. They said quantum simulation can be used to showcase recent research advances in physics.
Industry leaders have already begun demonstrating these capabilities. In October 2025, Google announced that its Willow quantum chip could provide accurate simulations of the physical properties of molecules faster than classical computers [1].
Other research has focused on the simulation of many-body quantum chaos. One study utilized a processor with 91 qubits to perform these simulations [3]. The research team said experimental data showed strong agreement with Heisenberg-picture simulations, though some deviations occurred at larger circuit volumes [3].
Despite these gains, challenges remain regarding accuracy at scale. While some reports highlight the elegance of current quantum chips, other data indicates large disagreements with Schrödinger-picture simulations when circuit volumes increase [3].
These developments represent a race between analog and digital quantum simulation methods [2]. The goal is to create a verifiable system that can model the universe's quantum nature without the exponential slowdown experienced by classical hardware.
“Faithful simulations of the world are impossible to create using ordinary computers.”
The transition toward quantum simulation marks a pivot from using computers to approximate nature to using quantum systems to mirror nature. While current hardware like the Willow chip shows promise in molecular modeling, the discrepancies found at larger circuit volumes suggest that scaling these systems without losing fidelity remains the primary technical hurdle for the field.
