IBM and Partners Demonstrate Large-Scale Time Crystal on Quantum Processor

A research collaboration involving Basque Quantum, NIST, and IBM scientists has produced one of the largest and most complex time crystals to date using a superconducting quantum processor. The findings were published in Nature Communications at the end of January 2026.

Time crystals represent a phase of matter that displays periodic structure in time, distinguishing them from conventional crystals that repeat in space. The recent experiment utilized IBM’s Quantum Heron processor to achieve this result.

Previous experiments had demonstrated time crystals on other quantum processors, including Google’s Sycamore device, which used approximately 20 qubits. The Sycamore experiment focused on observing discrete time-crystalline order through many-body localization and periodic driving.

The time crystal created with the IBM Heron processor is both larger and more complex than earlier versions. This advancement has allowed researchers to explore two-dimensional time-crystalline structures, expanding the possibilities for future studies in this area.

What the numbers show

• The IBM Heron experiment was published on 28 January 2026
• Google’s Sycamore processor previously used about 20 qubits for time crystal experiments
• The IBM Heron-based time crystal enabled two-dimensional structure exploration

Time crystals are classified as non-equilibrium phases of matter. Unlike traditional crystals, which organize atoms in repeating patterns through space, time crystals exhibit a repeating pattern over time.

The IBM Heron-based experiment stands out due to its scale and complexity compared to prior realizations. The collaboration between Basque Quantum, NIST, and IBM scientists has contributed to advancements in the study of quantum phases of matter.

Earlier research using Google’s Sycamore processor demonstrated the existence of time-crystalline order. That work relied on periodic driving and many-body localization to observe the phenomenon, but was limited to a smaller number of qubits and less complex structures.

The latest demonstration using the IBM Quantum Heron processor marks a step forward in the experimental realization of time crystals. The results provide a foundation for further investigations into more complex quantum systems and non-equilibrium phases of matter.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.