Quantum computing for nuclear physics: status and expectations

Joseph A. Formaggio

Shuzhe Shi

Tianyin Li, Hongxi Xing, Dan-Bo Zhang

High-energy nuclear physics aims to explore and understand the physics of matter composed of quarks and gluons. However, it is intrinsically difficult to simulate high-energy nuclear physics from the first principle based quantum chromodynamics by using classical computers. In recent years, quantum computing has received intensive attention because it is expected to provide an ultimate solution for simulating high-energy nuclear physics. In this paper, we firstly review recent advances in quantum simulation of high-energy nuclear physics. Then we introduce some standard quantum algorithms, such as state preparation and measurements of light-cone correlation function. Finally, we demonstrate the advantage of quantum computing for solving the real-time evolution and the sign problems by studying hadronic scattering amplitude and phase structure of finite-temperature and finite-density matter, respectively.

Alessandro Baroni

Dorota M. Grabowska

The last several years have seen a massive resurgence of interest in the Hamiltonian simulation of relativistic lattice field theories from the nuclear and high energy physics community. This renewal has largely been driven by rapid advancements in quantum computing hardware and increased access to real quantum computers, not just simulators on classical machines. However, significant breakthroughs in hardware and software must occur to develop fault-tolerant quantum computers, which will most likely be necessary for simulations of physically-relevant nuclear systems. In the meantime, there are many theoretical and algorithmic roadblocks to overcome in order to implement gauge theories onto quantum computers. In this plenary, I present a broad overview of digital quantum simulation, including methods and status of current hardware architectures, followed by a description of the challenges faced when simulating lattice gauge theories on quantum computers.

Zohreh Davoudi