Quantum field theory dynamics in trapped ions

Computing the real-time dynamics of quantum field theories is intractable for classical devices. Now, the dynamics of two quantum field theories have been observed using hybrid trapped-ion quantum simulators. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Access options Access through your institution Access Nature and 54 other Nature Portfolio journals Get Nature+, our best-value online-access subscription $32.99 / 30 days cancel any time Learn more Subscribe to this journal Receive 12 print issues and online access $259.00 per year only $21.58 per issue Learn more Rent or buy this article Prices vary by article type from$1.95 to$39.95 Learn more Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout Fig. 1: Mapping quantum fields to ion crystals. Subjects Quantum information Quantum simulation Density Functional Theory Applications in Molecular and Quantum Systems ReferencesSaner, S. et al. Nat. Phys. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-026-03400-6 (2026).Article Google Scholar Than, A. T. et al. Nat. Phys. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-026-03402-4 (2026).Cochran, T. A. et al. Nature 642, 315–320 (2025).Article ADS Google Scholar González-Cuadra, D. et al. Nature 642, 321–326 (2025).Article ADS Google Scholar Meth, M. et al. Nat. Phys. 21, 570–576 (2025).Article Google Scholar Valahu, C. H. et al. Nat. Chem. 15, 1503–1508 (2023).Article Google Scholar Whitlow, J. et al. Nat. Chem. 15, 1509–1514 (2023).Article Google Scholar Hou, P.-Y. et al. Nat. Phys. 20, 1636–1641 (2024).Article Google Scholar Download referencesAuthor informationAuthors and AffiliationsCenter for Quantum Information, IIIS, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaPan-Yu HouHefei National Laboratory, Hefei, ChinaPan-Yu HouAuthorsPan-Yu HouView author publicationsSearch author on:PubMed Google ScholarCorresponding authorCorrespondence to Pan-Yu Hou.Ethics declarations Competing interests The author declares no competing interests. Rights and permissionsReprints and permissionsAbout this articleCite this articleHou, PY. Quantum field theory dynamics in trapped ions. Nat. Phys. (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-026-03401-5Download citationPublished: 25 September 2026Version of record: 25 September 2026DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41567-026-03401-5Share this articleAnyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:Get shareable linkSorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.Copy shareable link to clipboard Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Aharonov–Bohm interference in a $${\pmb{\mathbb{Z}}}_{\bf{2}}$$ Z 2 lattice gauge theory on a hybrid qubit–oscillator quantum computer S. SanerO. BăzăvanA. Bermúdez Nature Physics Article Open Access 25 Sept 2026