SU(2) hadrons on a quantum computer via a variational approach.

Area of Science:

• Quantum computing
• High Energy Physics
• Computational Physics

Background:

• Gauge theories are fundamental to describing particle interactions.
• Simulating complex quantum systems like gauge theories is computationally challenging for classical computers.
• Quantum computers offer a potential avenue for tackling these simulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To variationally prepare low-lying eigenstates of a non-Abelian gauge theory with dynamically coupled matter on a quantum computer.
• To enable the observation and mass calculation of hadrons using quantum simulations.
• To lay the groundwork for future quantum simulations in particle and nuclear physics.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a variational quantum eigensolver on an IBM superconducting quantum computing platform.
• Employed a hybrid approach combining classical and quantum computing resources.
• Studied an SU(2) gauge group with dynamically coupled matter fields.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared low-lying eigenstates of the non-Abelian gauge theory.
• Observed hadrons (meson and baryon states) for the first time in a non-Abelian simulation on a quantum computer.
• Calculated the associated masses of these observed hadrons.

Conclusions:

• Demonstrated a resource-efficient hybrid quantum-classical approach for simulating non-Abelian gauge theories with dynamical matter on current quantum hardware.
• The study represents a significant first step towards simulating quantum chromodynamics.
• Paves the way for addressing open questions in particle and nuclear physics through advanced quantum simulations.