Quantum

How Many Qubits Would it Take to Simulate a Holographic Universe?

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Briefings

Theoretical physicist Juan Maldacena of the Institute for Advanced Study explains the holographic principle, where space-time is encoded on a boundary. In a 2026 episode of The Quantum Kid, he estimates the qubit count required to simulate a holographic universe, noting that stable, near-perfect qubits are needed. The episode also features Microsoft's Copenhagen lab where Dr. Lauri Sainiemi discusses topological qubits based on Majoranas.

Key points

• Maldacena's 1997 paper on holographic duality is the most cited paper in high-energy physics history.
• Simulating a holographic universe requires qubits that are stable and near-perfect, closer to error-corrected logical qubits than current noisy physical ones.

Context

The holographic principle links gravity to quantum information, suggesting a quantum computer could simulate a holographic universe to study quantum gravity. This theoretical framework is central to the quantum industry's research on simulating complex systems.

Limitations

The episode relies on a single theoretical estimate from Maldacena's 1997 paper and a specific hardware discussion from Microsoft's Copenhagen lab. No experimental data or simulation results are provided, and the required qubit stability remains a theoretical target rather than a confirmed engineering specification.

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