Scientists use powerful sources of light to study tiny particles, atoms and molecules, that make up the matter around us – known as the quantum domain. These experiments can be used to answer important questions about how the particles behave in chemical reactions, material properties, and new quantum technologies.

To understand the results of the experiments, computer simulations are crucial. The computer-generated virtual model shows how these tiny particles move according to the rules of quantum physics. Using the newly developed quantum simulations, researchers will predict and understand what is happening to molecules during experiments.

This is a new field of research, and most research groups use their own custom-made software for their studies. This individual approach means it is difficult for scientists to use ideas from one group to improve the methods of another group.

Now, a new research project called COSMOS, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPRC) and including researchers at the University of Bristol will develop a unified code for quantum dynamics simulations suitable for use by both computational and experimental researchers. School of Chemistry researcher Dr Basile Curchod is a co-investigator on the project.

This universal software will enable a wider group of scientists worldwide to use computer simulations to explore the quantum world more efficiently, and it will aid researchers across a broad range of research areas to understand state-of-the art experiments and exploit quantum effects by designing new molecules and materials.

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