Digital Quantum Simulation of Scalar Yukawa Coupling

Motivated by the revitalized interest in the digital simulation of medium- and high-energy physics phenomena, we investigate the dynamics following a Yukawa interaction quench on IBM Q. Adopting the zero-dimensional version of the scalar Yukawa coupling model as our point of departure, we design low-depth quantum circuits, emulating its dynamics with up to three bosons. In the one-boson case, we demonstrate circuit compression, i.e., a constant-depth circuit containing only two controlled-NOT (CNOT) gates. In the more complex three-boson case, we design a circuit in which one Trotter step entails eight CNOTs. Using an analogy with the traveling salesman problem, we also provide a CNOT cost estimate for higher boson number truncations. Based on these circuits, we quantify the system dynamics by evaluating the expected boson number at an arbitrary time after the quench and the survival probability of the initial vacuum state (the Loschmidt echo). We also utilize these circuits to drive adiabatic transitions and compute the energies of the ground- and first-excited states of the considered model. Finally, through error mitigation, i.e., zero-noise extrapolation, we demonstrate the good agreement of our results with a numerically exact classical benchmark.Motivated by the revitalized interest in the digital simulation of medium- and high-energy physics phenomena, we investigate the dynamics following a Yukawa interaction quench on IBM Q. Adopting the zero-dimensional version of the scalar Yukawa coupling model as our point of departure, we design low-depth quantum circuits, emulating its dynamics with up to three bosons. In the one-boson case, we demonstrate circuit compression, i.e., a constant-depth circuit containing only two controlled-NOT (CNOT) gates. In the more complex three-boson case, we design a circuit in which one Trotter step entails eight CNOTs. Using an analogy with the traveling salesman problem, we also provide a CNOT cost estimate for higher boson number truncations. Based on these circuits, we quantify the system dynamics by evaluating the expected boson number at an arbitrary time after the quench and the survival probability of the initial vacuum state (the Loschmidt echo). We also utilize these circuits to drive adiabatic transitions and compute the energies of the ground- and first-excited states of the considered model. Finally, through error mitigation, i.e., zero-noise extrapolation, we demonstrate the good agreement of our results with a numerically exact classical benchmark.

arXiv:2211.02684Quantum ReportsJul 18, 20242 citations

Digital Quantum Simulation of Dynamics in Interacting Fields

Zhiyao Li

Matter under extreme conditions behaves as a non-equilibrium, strongly-interacting quantum system. Such systems are in the non-perturbative regime of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), where their time evolution is classically intractable. Quantum computing offers a promising alternative, but present-day devices are limited in qubit count and circuit depth, so efficient formulations and algorithms are key to scaling toward experimentally relevant QCD simulations. A scalable framework is established for simulating energy loss and hadronization in 1+1-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory, in which a heavy quark traverses a lattice of light quarks. Classical lattice QCD methods are translated into physics-informed circuits to prepare the interacting ground state. The evolution is run on IBM's quantum processor ibm_pittsburgh, where the charge distribution and energy loss are measured. A further study develops the quantum simulation of the fully gauge-fixed SU(2) Hamiltonian in a mixed basis, a formulation that is expected to remain efficient at all gauge couplings. Digitizing the continuous gauge fields with as few as three qubits per plaquette reproduces low-energy observables with $10^{-3}$ precision. Scaling to larger systems is limited by resource overhead, which motivates truncations that preserve the relevant observables. Sequency Hierarchy Truncation (SeqHT) exploits the hierarchy in basis-operator contributions. Demonstrated on the adiabatic preparation of the $λφ^4$ ground state on ibm_sherbrooke, SeqHT reduces circuit depth by ~30%, suppressing hardware noise in the extracted observables. All simulations in this dissertation are validated on quantum hardware against classical benchmarks. These studies advance quantum simulations of real-time QCD dynamics.Matter under extreme conditions behaves as a non-equilibrium, strongly-interacting quantum system. Such systems are in the non-perturbative regime of quantum chromodynamics (QCD), where their time evolution is classically intractable. Quantum computing offers a promising alternative, but present-day devices are limited in qubit count and circuit depth, so efficient formulations and algorithms are key to scaling toward experimentally relevant QCD simulations. A scalable framework is established for simulating energy loss and hadronization in 1+1-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory, in which a heavy quark traverses a lattice of light quarks. Classical lattice QCD methods are translated into physics-informed circuits to prepare the interacting ground state. The evolution is run on IBM's quantum processor ibm_pittsburgh, where the charge distribution and energy loss are measured. A further study develops the quantum simulation of the fully gauge-fixed SU(2) Hamiltonian in a mixed basis, a formulation that is expected to remain efficient at all gauge couplings. Digitizing the continuous gauge fields with as few as three qubits per plaquette reproduces low-energy observables with $10^{-3}$ precision. Scaling to larger systems is limited by resource overhead, which motivates truncations that preserve the relevant observables. Sequency Hierarchy Truncation (SeqHT) exploits the hierarchy in basis-operator contributions. Demonstrated on the adiabatic preparation of the $λφ^4$ ground state on ibm_sherbrooke, SeqHT reduces circuit depth by ~30%, suppressing hardware noise in the extracted observables. All simulations in this dissertation are validated on quantum hardware against classical benchmarks. These studies advance quantum simulations of real-time QCD dynamics.

quant-pharXiv:2610.28993Oct 22, 20260 citations

Quantum circuits for digital quantum simulation of nonlocal electron-phonon coupling

Vladimir M. Stojanović

Motivated by the compelling need to understand the nonequilibrium dynamics of small-polaron formation following an electron-phonon interaction quench, in this work we propose a digital quantum simulator of a one-dimensional lattice model describing an itinerant fermionic excitation (e.g. an electron) nonlocally coupled to zero-dimensional bosons (e.g. Einstein-type phonons). Quantum circuits implementing the dynamics of this model, which includes Peierls- and breathing-mode-type excitation-boson interactions, are designed here, their complexity scaling linearly with the system size. A circuit that generates the natural initial (pre-quench) state of this system -- a bare-excitation Bloch state, equivalent to a $W$ state of a qubit register -- is also presented. To facilitate comparisons with the proposed simulator, once experimentally realized, the system dynamics are also evaluated numerically and characterized through the Loschmidt echo and various correlation functions.Motivated by the compelling need to understand the nonequilibrium dynamics of small-polaron formation following an electron-phonon interaction quench, in this work we propose a digital quantum simulator of a one-dimensional lattice model describing an itinerant fermionic excitation (e.g. an electron) nonlocally coupled to zero-dimensional bosons (e.g. Einstein-type phonons). Quantum circuits implementing the dynamics of this model, which includes Peierls- and breathing-mode-type excitation-boson interactions, are designed here, their complexity scaling linearly with the system size. A circuit that generates the natural initial (pre-quench) state of this system -- a bare-excitation Bloch state, equivalent to a $W$ state of a qubit register -- is also presented. To facilitate comparisons with the proposed simulator, once experimentally realized, the system dynamics are also evaluated numerically and characterized through the Loschmidt echo and various correlation functions.

arXiv:2410.08123Oct 10, 20240 citations

Recompilation-enhanced simulation of electron–phonon dynamics on IBM quantum computers

Ben Jaderberg, Alexander Eisfeld, Dieter Jaksch +1 more

Abstract Simulating quantum systems is believed to be one of the first applications for which quantum computers may demonstrate a useful advantage. For many problems in physics, we are interested in studying the evolution of the electron–phonon Hamiltonian, for which efficient digital quantum computing schemes exist. Yet to date, no accurate simulation of this system has been produced on real quantum hardware. In this work, we consider the absolute resource cost for gate-based quantum simulation of small electron–phonon systems as dictated by the number of Trotter steps and bosonic energy levels necessary for the convergence of dynamics. We then apply these findings to perform experiments on IBM quantum hardware for both weak and strong electron–phonon coupling. Despite significant device noise, through the use of approximate circuit recompilation we obtain electron–phonon dynamics on current quantum computers comparable to exact diagonalisation. Our results represent a significant step in utilising near term quantum computers for simulation of quantum dynamics and highlight the novelty of approximate circuit recompilation as a tool for reducing noise.Abstract Simulating quantum systems is believed to be one of the first applications for which quantum computers may demonstrate a useful advantage. For many problems in physics, we are interested in studying the evolution of the electron–phonon Hamiltonian, for which efficient digital quantum computing schemes exist. Yet to date, no accurate simulation of this system has been produced on real quantum hardware. In this work, we consider the absolute resource cost for gate-based quantum simulation of small electron–phonon systems as dictated by the number of Trotter steps and bosonic energy levels necessary for the convergence of dynamics. We then apply these findings to perform experiments on IBM quantum hardware for both weak and strong electron–phonon coupling. Despite significant device noise, through the use of approximate circuit recompilation we obtain electron–phonon dynamics on current quantum computers comparable to exact diagonalisation. Our results represent a significant step in utilising near term quantum computers for simulation of quantum dynamics and highlight the novelty of approximate circuit recompilation as a tool for reducing noise.

arXiv:2202.08270New Journal of PhysicsAug 17, 202219 citations

Observation of quantum-field-theory dynamics on a spin-phonon quantum computer

Anton T. Than, Saurabh V. Kadam, Vinay Vikramaditya +5 more

Simulating out-of-equilibrium dynamics of quantum field theories in nature is challenging with classical methods, but is a promising application for quantum computers. Unfortunately, simulating interacting bosonic fields involves a high boson-to-qubit encoding overhead. Furthermore, when mapping to qubits, the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space of bosons is necessarily truncated, with truncation errors that grow with energy and time. A qubit-based quantum computer, augmented with an active bosonic register, and with qubit, bosonic, and mixed qubit-boson quantum gates, offers a more powerful platform for simulating bosonic theories. We demonstrate this capability experimentally in a hybrid analog-digital trapped-ion quantum computer, where qubits are encoded in the internal states of the ions, and the bosons in the ions' motional states. Specifically, we simulate nonequilibrium dynamics of a (1+1)-dimensional Yukawa model, a simplified model of interacting nucleons and pions, and measure fermion- and boson-occupation-state probabilities. These dynamics populate high bosonic-field excitations starting from an empty state, and the experimental results capture well such high-occupation states. This simulation approaches the regime where classical methods become challenging, bypasses the need for a large qubit overhead, and removes truncation errors. Our results, therefore, open the way to achieving demonstrable quantum advantage in qubit-boson quantum computing.Simulating out-of-equilibrium dynamics of quantum field theories in nature is challenging with classical methods, but is a promising application for quantum computers. Unfortunately, simulating interacting bosonic fields involves a high boson-to-qubit encoding overhead. Furthermore, when mapping to qubits, the infinite-dimensional Hilbert space of bosons is necessarily truncated, with truncation errors that grow with energy and time. A qubit-based quantum computer, augmented with an active bosonic register, and with qubit, bosonic, and mixed qubit-boson quantum gates, offers a more powerful platform for simulating bosonic theories. We demonstrate this capability experimentally in a hybrid analog-digital trapped-ion quantum computer, where qubits are encoded in the internal states of the ions, and the bosons in the ions' motional states. Specifically, we simulate nonequilibrium dynamics of a (1+1)-dimensional Yukawa model, a simplified model of interacting nucleons and pions, and measure fermion- and boson-occupation-state probabilities. These dynamics populate high bosonic-field excitations starting from an empty state, and the experimental results capture well such high-occupation states. This simulation approaches the regime where classical methods become challenging, bypasses the need for a large qubit overhead, and removes truncation errors. Our results, therefore, open the way to achieving demonstrable quantum advantage in qubit-boson quantum computing.

arXiv:2509.11477Sep 14, 20250 citations

Exponentially improved quantum simulation of scalar QFT

Qing-Hong Cao, Ying-Ying Li, Xiaohui Liu +2 more

Quantum simulations of scalar quantum field theories (QFT) provide important benchmarks for demonstrating quantum advantage. We revisit digitization in the occupation basis, which is typically hindered by unfavorable circuit depth scaling. We present an approach that achieves exponential reductions in circuit depth and significantly mitigates Trotter errors by diagonalizing field operators prior to their decomposition into Pauli strings. Focusing on a scalar QFT in 2+1 dimensions, we show that this method substantially reduces circuit depth and CNOT gate counts for time evolution. Using the Lorentzian energy-energy correlator as a benchmark observable, we find parameter regimes in which occupation-basis digitization converges more rapidly with respect to local truncation than the amplitude-basis approach of Jordan, Lee, and Preskill. These results provide both algorithmic advances and phenomenological benchmarks for studies of light-ray observables on near-term quantum devices.Quantum simulations of scalar quantum field theories (QFT) provide important benchmarks for demonstrating quantum advantage. We revisit digitization in the occupation basis, which is typically hindered by unfavorable circuit depth scaling. We present an approach that achieves exponential reductions in circuit depth and significantly mitigates Trotter errors by diagonalizing field operators prior to their decomposition into Pauli strings. Focusing on a scalar QFT in 2+1 dimensions, we show that this method substantially reduces circuit depth and CNOT gate counts for time evolution. Using the Lorentzian energy-energy correlator as a benchmark observable, we find parameter regimes in which occupation-basis digitization converges more rapidly with respect to local truncation than the amplitude-basis approach of Jordan, Lee, and Preskill. These results provide both algorithmic advances and phenomenological benchmarks for studies of light-ray observables on near-term quantum devices.

hep-phCross-listedarXiv:2604.26226Apr 30, 20260 citations

10^{-3}

precision. Scaling to larger systems is limited by resource overhead, which motivates truncations that preserve the relevant observables. Sequency Hierarchy Truncation (SeqHT) exploits the hierarchy in basis-operator contributions. Demonstrated on the adiabatic preparation of the

λφ^4

ground state on ibm_sherbrooke, SeqHT reduces circuit depth by ~30%, suppressing hardware noise in the extracted observables. All simulations in this dissertation are validated on quantum hardware against classical benchmarks. These studies advance quantum simulations of real-time QCD dynamics.

W

state of a qubit register -- is also presented. To facilitate comparisons with the proposed simulator, once experimentally realized, the system dynamics are also evaluated numerically and characterized through the Loschmidt echo and various correlation functions.