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arXiv:2610.25350

Real-time quantum simulation of hadron production in deep inelastic scattering

Xianghui Cao, Meijian Li, Yang Li, Wenyang Qian

hep-phnucl-thquant-phSubmitted Oct 18, 2026• Announced Oct 20, 2026
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Abstract

We develop a quantum simulation framework for meson production in deep inelastic scattering based on light-front QCD Hamiltonian formalism. A quark-antiquark dipole, prepared either as a single-momentum state or as the $q\bar q$ component of a virtual photon, is evolved in real time through the color field of a nuclear target via Trotterized unitary evolution. We consider both proton and gold nuclear targets, each characterized by their respective saturation scale. From the evolved state we extract the transverse momentum broadening, the total and elastic cross sections, and the $J/ψ$ production rate by projecting onto the $J/ψ$ light-front wavefunction. We then extract the nuclear modification factor $R_A$ at different photon virtuality $Q^2$ and analyze nuclear modification effect. Results of classical simulations show good agreement with analytical eikonal predictions across a broad range of parameters. For the single-momentum dipole, quantum simulation is demonstrated on a quantum circuit emulator with a smaller lattice size, and results are consistent with the classical benchmark. This work establishes a first-principles, amplitude-level pathway toward computing exclusive hadron production in deep inelastic scattering, directly relevant to the physics program of the Electron-Ion Collider.

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We develop a quantum simulation framework for meson production in deep inelastic scattering based on light-front QCD Hamiltonian formalism. A quark-antiquark dipole, prepared either as a single-momentum state or as the qqˉq\bar qqqˉ​ component of a virtual photon, is evolved in real time through the color field of a nuclear target via Trotterized unitary evolution. We consider both proton and gold nuclear targets, each characterized by their respective saturation scale. From the evolved state we extract the transverse momentum broadening, the total and elastic cross sections, and the J/ψJ/ψJ/ψ production rate by projecting onto the J/ψJ/ψJ/ψ light-front wavefunction. We then extract the nuclear modification factor RAR_ARA​ at different photon virtuality Q2Q^2Q2 and analyze nuclear modification effect. Results of classical simulations show good agreement with analytical eikonal predictions across a broad range of parameters. For the single-momentum dipole, quantum simulation is demonstrated on a quantum circuit emulator with a smaller lattice size, and results are consistent with the classical benchmark. This work establishes a first-principles, amplitude-level pathway toward computing exclusive hadron production in deep inelastic scattering, directly relevant to the physics program of the Electron-Ion Collider.
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Hadronic tensors encode the nonperturbative structure of hadrons probed in deep inelastic scattering (DIS), yet their direct evaluation requires real-time evolution that presents a challenge for traditional Euclidean lattice approaches. In this work, we present the first quantum simulation of real-time hadronic current-current correlators in a confining gauge theory, from which DIS-inspired structure functions are extracted as a proof-of-principle demonstration in the Schwinger model, i.e (1+1)-dimensional QED. Using two complementary quantum-simulation strategies -- quantum-circuit and tensor-network methods -- we compute the real-time current-current correlator directly on the lattice and validate our results against exact diagonalization where applicable. From this correlator, we compute the hadronic tensor and determine the longitudinal structure function, the sole nonvanishing DIS observable in two space-time dimensions. Our study demonstrates that quantum simulation offers a viable complementary pathway towards the evaluation of real-time observables relevant for hadronic structure. It also provides a foundation for extending the calculations from Schwinger model to other gauge theories.
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With the aim of studying nonperturbative out-of-equilibrium dynamics of high-energy particle collisions on quantum simulators, we investigate the scattering dynamics of lattice quantum electrodynamics in 1+1 dimensions. Working in the bosonized formulation of the model and in the thermodynamic limit, we use uniform-matrix-product-state tensor networks to construct multiparticle wave-packet states, evolve them in time, and detect outgoing particles post collision. This facilitates the numerical simulation of scattering experiments in both confined and deconfined regimes of the model at different energies, giving rise to rich phenomenology, including inelastic production of quark and meson states, meson disintegration, and dynamical string formation and breaking. We obtain elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections, together with time-resolved momentum and position distributions of the outgoing particles. Furthermore, we propose an analog circuit-QED implementation of the scattering process that is native to the platform, requires minimal ingredients and approximations, and enables practical schemes for particle wave-packet preparation and evolution. This study highlights the role of classical and quantum simulation in enhancing our understanding of scattering processes in quantum field theories in real time.
High-energy collisions produce large numbers of quarks and gluons that are bound into hadrons by the confining interactions of quantum chromodynamics (QCD). This hadronization process is intrinsically real-time and non-perturbative. Event generators describe hadronization using phenomenological models with parameters fitted to data rather than calculated from QCD. Uncertainties in these models limit the precision of certain measurements at the Large Hadron Collider. Quantum computers could enable first-principles simulations of these dynamics. Existing quantum simulations of gauge theories have demonstrated string-breaking dynamics. This white paper summarizes the conclusions of the InQubator for Quantum Simulation workshop \textit{From String Dynamics to Event Generation with Quantum Simulation}. We develop a roadmap for extending these simulations to inform phenomenological models of hadronization. A sequence of toy models is proposed for connecting current quantum simulations to QCD. The observables that should be extracted are listed, and the challenges that separate present simulations from quantitative predictions are identified. We propose a staged program in which quantum simulations first provide qualitative modifications to event generators and later provide quantitative input.