Researchers from Chalmers University of Technology have developed open-source software to pave the way for new discoveries and accelerate quantum research.
Quantum research is expected to change many areas of society. However, researchers are certain that many undiscovered quantum properties and applications still need to be explored.
New discoveries could advance areas such as healthcare, communication, defence, and energy.
A paper detailing the research, ‘SuperConga: An open-source framework for mesoscopic superconductivity,’ was published in Applied Physics Reviews.
Exploring new superconducting properties
In the field of quantum research, scientists are particularly interested in the properties of superconducting quantum particles. These give components perfect conductivity with unique magnetic properties.
These superconducting properties are considered conventional today and have already paved the way for entirely new technologies used in applications such as magnetic resonance imaging equipment, maglev trains, and quantum computer components.
However, years of research and development remain before a quantum computer can be expected to solve real computing problems in practice, for example.
“We want to discover all the other exciting properties of unconventional superconductors. Our software is powerful, educational and user-friendly, and we hope that it will help generate new understanding and suggest entirely new applications for these unexplored superconductors,” stated Patric Holmvall, Postdoctoral researcher in Condensed Matter Physics at Uppsala University.
How can open-source coding revolutionise quantum research?
Usually, experiments on quantum materials are resource intensive, difficult to interpret, and take years to carry out.
Using their open-source software, titled SuperConga, the team have propelled developments in quantum research. It is free to use and has been specifically designed to perform advanced simulations and analyses of quantum components.
Because the first-of-its-kind software operates at a microscopic level, it can carry out simulations capable of ‘picking up’ the strange properties of quantum particles and applying them in practice.
Mikael Fogelström, Professor of Theoretical Physics at Chalmers, explained: “We are specifically interested in unconventional superconductors, which are an enigma in terms of how they even work and their properties.
“We know that they have some desirable properties that protect quantum research from interference and fluctuations. Interference is what currently limits us from having a quantum computer that can be used in practice.”
He added: “This is where basic research into quantum materials is crucial if we are to make any progress.”
Simplifying quantum discoveries
These tools must be used at the minimal particle level to develop new quantum researcher ideas and scale them up to be used in practice.
This means working at the mesoscopic level, which lies between the interface between the microscopic scale and the macroscopic scale, which measures everyday objects in our world and are subject to the laws of classical physics.
Because of the software’s ability to work at this mesoscopic level, the Chalmers researchers now hope to make life easier for researchers and students working with quantum physics.
Tomas Löfwander, Professor of Applied Quantum Physics at Chalmers, concluded: “Extremely simplified models based on either the microscopic or macroscopic scale are often used at present.
“This means that they do not manage to identify all the important physics or that they cannot be used in practice.
“With this free software, we want to make it easier for others to accelerate and improve their quantum research without having to reinvent the wheel every time.”
