Pathfinding quantum simulations of neutrinoless double-β decay.

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Physics
• Quantum Computing
• Particle Physics

Background:

• Neutrinoless double-beta decay is a hypothetical process that could reveal new physics.
• Simulating complex nuclear processes requires significant computational power.

Purpose of the Study:

• To perform co-designed quantum simulations of neutrinoless double-beta decay.
• To demonstrate lepton-number violation using quantum computers.

Main Methods:

• Utilized IonQ's Forte-generation trapped-ion quantum computers for 1+1D quantum chromodynamics simulations.
• Mapped electrons, neutrinos, and quarks to 32 qubits, employing 4 additional qubits for error mitigation.
• Implemented weak interactions via a four-fermion interaction and induced lepton-number violation with a neutrino Majorana mass.

Main Results:

• Observed lepton-number violation in real time, indicating neutrinoless double-beta decay.
• Achieved high precision in extracted observables through advanced quantum circuit compilation and error mitigation.
• Co-designed the simulation to leverage the quantum computer's all-to-all connectivity and native gate-set.

Conclusions:

• Quantum simulations can effectively probe fundamental nuclear processes like neutrinoless double-beta decay.
• The co-design approach maximizes the utility of current quantum hardware for complex physics problems.
• Future quantum simulations hold potential for yocto-second resolution of nuclear reaction pathways.