How a New Quantum Simulator Is Putting Individual Atoms Under Control
Eindhoven, Sunday, 20 September 2026.
Physicist Rianne Lous has built a custom quantum simulator to control individual atoms, turning abstract theory into a practical tool to advance quantum computing hardware.
The Fragility of Modern Quantum Hardware
The field of quantum computing holds immense promise for accelerating medical discoveries, optimizing complex systems, and designing new materials [2]. However, the hardest reality facing developers today is the extreme fragility of qubits [2]. Unlike classical bits, a qubit must preserve delicate quantum information while constantly interacting with imperfect gates, its surrounding environment, control electronics, and measurement systems [2]. This vulnerability introduces noise, which accumulates as quantum circuits grow larger and deeper, making the challenge of quantum computing less about qubit quantity and more about making computational answers trustworthy [2].
The Fragility of Modern Quantum Hardware
To mitigate these errors, researchers rely on Quantum Error Mitigation (QEM) techniques, such as Zero-Noise Extrapolation (ZNE) and Probabilistic Error Cancellation (PEC) [2]. While these methods help reduce computational errors, they introduce substantial overheads, including statistical uncertainty and additional circuit executions [2]. Consequently, building a reliable quantum computer requires higher-quality qubits, longer coherence times, and better control systems [2]. This is where experimental physics plays a vital role, transitioning quantum mechanics from abstract mathematical theories into controllable, physical tools [1].
SIntAQS: A Custom Tool for Controlling Atomic Interactions
At the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU Eindhoven), experimental physicist Rianne Lous is addressing these hardware challenges directly [1]. As an assistant professor in the Coherence and Quantum Technology group at the Department of Applied Physics and Science Education, Lous has developed a custom-built quantum simulator called SIntAQS (Sensing Interactions in Atomic Quantum Systems) [1]. SIntAQS acts as a closed system designed to measure and manipulate atomic interactions [1]. By using what Lous describes as a “figurative knob,” her team can steer particle behavior, controlling how atoms attract or repel one another, absorb and release energy, and become entangled [1].
SIntAQS: A Custom Tool for Controlling Atomic Interactions
The primary objective of SIntAQS is to serve as a highly precise simulator to mimic the real world, allowing researchers to experiment directly with quantum mechanics [1]. According to Lous, mastering the physical system allows her to steer the atoms as desired, turning what is often perceived as abstract or magical into a practical calculator [1]. This hands-on control over individual atoms provides the Dutch semiconductor and quantum ecosystems with essential methodologies for testing quantum materials, which is a crucial step toward engineering more resilient qubits and reducing the noise that plagues current quantum devices [1][2].
Overcoming Infrastructure Hurdles to Build the Simulator
The development of SIntAQS began in the summer of 2022, but the project faced significant physical and infrastructural challenges from its inception [1]. Delays in the construction of TU Eindhoven’s Qubit building meant that Lous had to set up her laboratory completely from scratch, including all necessary infrastructure and specialized equipment [1]. This setup phase could only begin six months after her very first PhD student had already started their tenure [1]. Despite these early setbacks, the project has progressed significantly, eventually involving eight students and two PhD candidates to date as they work to transition the simulator out of what Lous humorously calls its “stubborn toddler phase” [1].
Connecting Simulators to the Cloud for Broader Access
Beyond her individual work on SIntAQS, Lous is also actively participating in the Rydberg Atom Quantum Computing project [1]. Led by Professor Servaas Kokkelmans, this large-scale initiative aims to connect a physical quantum computer to “Quantum Inspire,” a cloud platform developed by TNO [1]. This cloud integration is designed to model complex protein interactions, which has direct applications in medical research and drug discovery [1]. This collaborative effort highlights how specialized quantum hardware can be utilized today without requiring users to own a physical quantum computer [1].
Connecting Simulators to the Cloud for Broader Access
Lous strongly advocates for open knowledge sharing and public involvement in quantum developments to ensure societal choices are guided by understanding rather than ignorance [1]. She notes that while quantum computers are far too complex and specialized for widespread home ownership, cloud-based access will allow anyone to utilize and learn the technology in the future [1]. By bridging the gap between highly complex experimental physics and open-access platforms, initiatives like SIntAQS and the Rydberg project are laying the groundwork for the next generation of trustworthy quantum computing [1][2].