IBM Quantum Computer Accurately Simulates Real Magnetic Materials, Reproducing National Laboratory Data

by · PR Newswire
  • Team from U.S. Department of Energy-funded Quantum Science Center demonstrates quantum computers can perform material simulation that many previously believed to be beyond current quantum capabilities.
  • High simulation accuracy is enabled by quantum-centric supercomputing workflows and reductions in hardware error rates.
  • Results point toward quantum-centric supercomputing as a new scientific instrument for materials discovery, with long-term implications for superconductors, medical imaging, energy, and drug development.

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y., March 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced new results that its quantum computer can simulate real magnetic materials with results that match neutron scattering experiments, marking a significant step towards using quantum computers as reliable tools for scientific discovery. The work, reported in a pre-print, was conducted by scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Quantum Science Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Purdue University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee and IBM.

“An IBM quantum computer-aided simulation of a neutron scattering experiment showed high agreement with the real-world results.” Lee, Y. T., et al. (2026). Benchmarking quantum simulation with neutron-scattering experiments. arXiv preprint arXiv: 2603.15608.
“Results of a neutron scattering experiment (left) and an IBM quantum computer-aided simulation of the experiment (right).” Lee, Y. T., et al. (2026). Benchmarking quantum simulation with neutron-scattering experiments. arXiv preprint arXiv: 2603.15608.
The Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Credit: Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
A photograph of the front view of IBM Quantum System Two in Poughkeepsie, New York. (Credit: IBM)