ITMO Scientists Model Galactic Dynamics Using Trapped Ions

Researchers at ITMO University have pioneered a novel methodology that allows for the highly accurate simulation of stellar movements relative to the Galactic center, offering new insights into the future evolution of the Milky Way. This innovative approach shifts the study of astrophysical processes from purely abstract mathematical calculations to tangible, experimental investigation by leveraging the principle of physical similarity, employing atomic ions confined within specialized laboratory traps.

Semyon Rudoy, a research fellow at ITMO’s Center for Nanostructure Physics, elaborated on the significance of this technique. He noted that it effectively allows scientists to reproduce a cosmic system “on the palm of their hand.” By utilizing charged particles held in the trap as direct analogs for stars, researchers can explore complex astrophysical phenomena and even exert influence over them. Galaxies, much like other massive celestial structures, are inherently complex, dynamic systems. Minor initial variations can cascade into unpredictable long-term outcomes, a factor that inherently limits the precision of conventional computational models.

Historically, astronomers have relied on simplified mathematical constructs to forecast behavior over extended timescales. A prime example is the Hénon-Heiles potential, a model introduced by Michel Hénon and Carl Heiles back in 1964. The recent work conducted by the ITMO scientists, which received support from the Russian Science Foundation, has established a crucial link: the trajectories of atomic ions confined within a quadrupole trap behave analogously to the orbits of stars within a galactic potential. This correspondence confirms that the classical Hénon-Heiles astrophysical potential can, in fact, be accurately realized within a system of trapped atomic ions.

To establish the necessary electric field configuration within the trap, the team utilized electrodes crafted from indium tin oxide deposited onto glass substrates. Dmitry Sherbinin, a senior research fellow at the same center, emphasized a key philosophical underpinning of the research: chaotic systems, regardless of their scale—whether macroscopic or microscopic—adhere to universal governing principles. This commonality suggests the existence of unified regulators capable of reproducing the behavior of disparate chaotic systems.

This development sits within a broader context of advanced physics research involving ions. In related fields, Russian scientists from FIAN achieved a landmark in quantum computing in December 2025, reaching unprecedented accuracy for single-qubit operations on a 70-qubit processor, underscoring the nation’s high level of expertise in manipulating ion systems. While international researchers, such as Christopher Monroe, view ion-based quantum simulations as a promising avenue for modeling condensed matter systems, the Russian innovation specifically targets macroscopic astrophysical models, applying the same fundamental control mechanisms over charged particles.