# Two-ion experiment simulates how quantum flux controls particle motion

_Published Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 1:49 PM EST · Science · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

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University of Oxford researchers demonstrated how quantum flux can stop particle motion in a simulated lattice gauge theory, using two trapped ions, Phys.org reported. The experiment extends beyond one-dimensional setups that cannot capture effects associated with magnetic flux.

The ions' electronic states represented fields, while their vibrations represented matter. Entangling the field states set the flux through a simulated loop: one state allowed tunneling, while another completely suppressed it through interference between two paths.

The Nature Physics study demonstrated interactions between moving matter and flux, but the single-loop system remains small enough to solve easily on classical computers.

## Sources

- [Phys.org](https://phys.org/news/2026-11-paths-flux-ions-simulate-aharonovbohm.html)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/_2wyvEFBhbV1PQ-uTKp9nR
Published: 2026-11-07T18:49:12.049Z
Story chronology: 2026-11-07T18:00:02.000Z
Retrieved: 2026-11-08T06:08:25.477Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)