A quantum computer has simulated a wormhole for the first time

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology, led by Maria Spiropulu, have utilized Google’s Sycamore quantum computer to simulate a holographic wormhole for the first time. This simulation is not a literal hologram but a method to simplify complex physics problems that involve both quantum mechanics and gravity, potentially aiding in the development of a unified theory of quantum gravity. By simulating a wormhole—a theoretical tunnel through space-time with black holes at either end—they explored how information might travel through such a structure. The process leverages quantum effects as a stand-in for gravity, simplifying the system and allowing the message to undergo quantum teleportation between entangled particles.

The initial simulation used only nine qubits, resulting in a low-resolution model akin to a blurry photograph, yet it showed promising parallels to a real wormhole. As quantum computers become more powerful, these simulations could be refined to provide clearer insights into quantum gravity theories. While current classical computing can replicate this small-scale experiment, the ultimate goal is for advanced quantum computers to reveal new aspects of quantum gravity that are currently beyond our understanding. This early work suggests that quantum computers may eventually help physicists formulate and test ideas about the elusive nature of quantum gravity.