Savage, Martin J. | Search NASA

DOE OSTI2024

Qu8its for quantum simulations of lattice quantum chromodynamics

We explore the utility of d = 8 qudits, qu8its, for quantum simulations of the dynamics of 1+1⁢D SU(3) lattice quantum chromodynamics, including a mapping for arbitrary number of flavors and lattice size and a reorganization of the Hamiltonian for efficient time evolution. Recent advances in parallel gate applications, along with the shorter application times of single-qudit operations compared with two-qudit operations, lead to significant projected advantages in quantum simulation fidelities and circuit depths using qu8its rather than qubits. The number of two-qudit entangling gates required for time evolution using qu8its is found to be more than a factor of 5 fewer than for qubits. Here, we anticipate that the developments presented in this work will enable improved quantum simulations to be performed using emerging quantum hardware.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Quantum computing for nuclear physics

Future quantum computers are anticipated to be able to perform simulations of quantum many-body systems and quantum field theories that lie beyond the capabilities of classical computation. This will lead to new insights and predictions for systems ranging from dense non-equilibrium matter, to low-energy nuclear structure and reactions, to high-energy collisions. I present an overview of digital quantum simulations in nuclear physics, with select examples relevant for studies of quark matter.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

DOE OSTI2024

Quantum simulations of hadron dynamics in the Schwinger model using 112 qubits

Hadron wave packets are prepared and time evolved in the Schwinger model using 112 qubits of IBM’s 133-qubit Heron quantum computer ibm_torino. The initialization of the hadron wave packet is performed in two steps. First, the vacuum is prepared across the whole lattice using the recently developed SC-ADAPT-VQE algorithm and workflow. SC-ADAPT-VQE is then extended to the preparation of localized states, and used to establish a hadron wave packet on top of the vacuum. This is done by adaptively constructing low-depth circuits that maximize the overlap with an adiabatically prepared hadron wave packet. Due to the localized nature of the wavepacket, these circuits can be determined on a sequence of small lattices using classical computers, and then robustly scaled to prepare wave packets on large lattices for simulations using quantum computers. Time evolution is implemented with a second-order Trotterization. To reduce both the required qubit connectivity and circuit depth, an approximate quasilocal interaction is introduced. This approximation is made possible by the emergence of confinement at long distances, and converges exponentially with increasing distance of the interactions. Using multiple error-mitigation strategies, up to 14 Trotter steps of time evolution are performed, employing 13,858 two-qubit gates (with a CNOT depth of 370). The propagation of hadrons is clearly identified, with results that compare favorably with Matrix Product State simulations. Finally, prospects for a near-term quantum advantage in simulations of hadron scattering are discussed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗