Quantum Algorithm for Simulating Scalar Quantum Electrodynamics Field Theory

Andrey Akhmeteli

The article contains a review and new results of some mathematical models relevant to the interpretation of quantum mechanics and emulating well-known quantum gauge theories, such as scalar electrodynamics (Klein–Gordon–Maxwell electrodynamics), spinor electrodynamics (Dirac–Maxwell electrodynamics), etc. In these models, evolution is typically described by modified Maxwell equations. In the case of scalar electrodynamics, the scalar complex wave function can be made real by a gauge transformation, the wave function can be algebraically eliminated from the equations of scalar electrodynamics, and the resulting modified Maxwell equations describe the independent evolution of the electromagnetic field. Similar results were obtained for spinor electrodynamics. Three out of four components of the Dirac spinor can be algebraically eliminated from the Dirac equation, and the remaining component can be made real by a gauge transformation. A similar result was obtained for the Dirac equation in the Yang–Mills field. As quantum gauge theories play a central role in modern physics, the approach of this article may be sufficiently general. One-particle wave functions can be modeled as plasma-like collections of a large number of particles and antiparticles. This seems to enable the simulation of quantum phase-space distribution functions, such as the Wigner distribution function, which are not necessarily non-negative.

L. DiCarlo

Andrey Akhmeteli

Is it possible to offer a "no drama" quantum theory? Something as simple (in principle) as classical electrodynamics - a theory described by a system of partial differential equations in 3+1 dimensions, but reproducing unitary evolution of a quantum field theory in the configuration space? The following results suggest an affirmative answer: 1. The scalar field can be algebraically eliminated from scalar electrodynamics; the resulting equations describe independent evolution of the electromagnetic field. 2. After introduction of a complex 4-potential (producing the same electromagnetic field as the standard real 4-potential), the spinor field can be algebraically eliminated from spinor electrodynamics; the resulting equations describe independent evolution of the electromagnetic field. 3. The resulting theories for the electromagnetic field can be embedded into quantum field theories. Another fundamental result: in a general case, the Dirac equation is equivalent to a 4th order partial differential equations for just one component, which can be made real by a gauge transform. Issues related to the Bell theorem are discussed.

Iván Cuntín, Wenyang Qian, Bin Wu

We present our recent studies on thermal field theories using quantum algorithms. We first delve into the representation of quantum fields via qubits on general digital quantum computers alongside the quantum algorithms employed to evaluate thermal properties of generic quantum field theories. Then, we show our numerical results of thermal field theories in 1+1 dimensions using quantum simulators. Both fermion and scalar fields will be discussed. These studies aim to understand thermal fixed points for our forthcoming work on studying thermalization in quantum field theories in real time quantum simulation.

Guillermo Romero, E. Solano, Lucas Lamata