Tensor-Network Representation of Light-Front Holographic QCD and Hadronic Entanglement Structure *

Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) describes the structure of hadrons such as the proton at a fundamental level. The precision of calculations in QCD limits the precision of the values of many physical parameters extracted from collider data. For example, uncertainty in the parton distribution function is the dominant source of error in the $W$ mass measurement at the Large Hadron Collider. Improving the precision of such measurements is essential in the search for new physics. Quantum simulation offers an efficient way of studying quantum field theories (QFTs) such as QCD nonperturbatively. Previous quantum algorithms for simulating QFTs have qubit requirements that are well beyond the most ambitious experimental proposals for large-scale quantum computers. Can the qubit requirements for such algorithms be brought into range of quantum computation with several thousand logical qubits? We show how this can be achieved by using the light-front formulation of quantum field theory. This work was inspired by the similarity of the light-front formulation to quantum chemistry, first noted by Wilson [Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Suppl. 17, 82 (1990)].Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) describes the structure of hadrons such as the proton at a fundamental level. The precision of calculations in QCD limits the precision of the values of many physical parameters extracted from collider data. For example, uncertainty in the parton distribution function is the dominant source of error in the $W$ mass measurement at the Large Hadron Collider. Improving the precision of such measurements is essential in the search for new physics. Quantum simulation offers an efficient way of studying quantum field theories (QFTs) such as QCD nonperturbatively. Previous quantum algorithms for simulating QFTs have qubit requirements that are well beyond the most ambitious experimental proposals for large-scale quantum computers. Can the qubit requirements for such algorithms be brought into range of quantum computation with several thousand logical qubits? We show how this can be achieved by using the light-front formulation of quantum field theory. This work was inspired by the similarity of the light-front formulation to quantum chemistry, first noted by Wilson [Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Suppl. 17, 82 (1990)].

arXiv:2002.04016Physical Review AMar 8, 202298 citations

Holographic Spin Networks from Tensor Network States

Nathan A. McMahon, Sukhwinder Singh, Gavin K. Brennen

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMar 8, 20180 citations

Parton distribution functions in the Schwinger model from tensor network states

Mari Carmen Bañuls, Krzysztof Cichy, C.-J. David Lin +1 more

Parton distribution functions (PDFs) describe the inner, nonperturbative structure of hadrons. Their computation involves matrix elements with a Wilson line along a direction on the light cone, posing significant challenges in Euclidean lattice calculations, where the time direction is not directly accessible. We propose implementing the light-front Wilson line within the Hamiltonian formalism using tensor network techniques. The approach is demonstrated in the massive Schwinger model (quantum electrodynamics in 1 + 1 dimensions), a toy model that shares key features with quantum chromodynamics. We present accurate continuum results for the fermion PDF of the vector meson at varying fermion masses, obtained from first-principle calculations directly in Minkowski space. Our strategy also provides a useful path for quantum simulations and quantum computing.Parton distribution functions (PDFs) describe the inner, nonperturbative structure of hadrons. Their computation involves matrix elements with a Wilson line along a direction on the light cone, posing significant challenges in Euclidean lattice calculations, where the time direction is not directly accessible. We propose implementing the light-front Wilson line within the Hamiltonian formalism using tensor network techniques. The approach is demonstrated in the massive Schwinger model (quantum electrodynamics in 1 + 1 dimensions), a toy model that shares key features with quantum chromodynamics. We present accurate continuum results for the fermion PDF of the vector meson at varying fermion masses, obtained from first-principle calculations directly in Minkowski space. Our strategy also provides a useful path for quantum simulations and quantum computing.

arXiv:2504.07508Physical review. D/Physical review. D.Jan 13, 20269 citations

Three ways of calculating mass spectra for the 2-flavor Schwinger model in the Hamiltonian formalism

Akira Matsumoto, Etsuko Itou, Yuya Tanizaki

We propose three independent methods to compute the hadron mass spectra of gauge theories in the Hamiltonian formalism. The determination of hadron masses is one of the key issues in QCD, which has been precisely calculated by the Monte Carlo method in the Lagrangian formalism. We confirm that the mass of hadrons can be calculated by examining correlation functions, the one-point function, or the dispersion relation in Hamiltonian formalism. These methods are suitable for quantum computation and tensor network approaches. The methods are demonstrated with the tensor network (DMRG) in the 2-flavor Schwinger model, which shares important properties with QCD. We show that the numerical results are consistent with each other and with the analytic prediction of the bosonization technique. We also discuss their efficiency and potential applications to other models.We propose three independent methods to compute the hadron mass spectra of gauge theories in the Hamiltonian formalism. The determination of hadron masses is one of the key issues in QCD, which has been precisely calculated by the Monte Carlo method in the Lagrangian formalism. We confirm that the mass of hadrons can be calculated by examining correlation functions, the one-point function, or the dispersion relation in Hamiltonian formalism. These methods are suitable for quantum computation and tensor network approaches. The methods are demonstrated with the tensor network (DMRG) in the 2-flavor Schwinger model, which shares important properties with QCD. We show that the numerical results are consistent with each other and with the analytic prediction of the bosonization technique. We also discuss their efficiency and potential applications to other models.

arXiv:2401.07556International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (LATTICE)Jan 4, 20240 citations

Quantum entanglement within quarkonium

Wenyu Zhang, Yiyu Zhou, Yang Li +1 more

We investigate quark-antiquark entanglement in heavy quarkonium within a nonperturbative light-front Hamiltonian framework. By tracing over the antiquark degrees of freedom in the hadronic state vector, we construct the reduced density matrix of the quark subsystem and compute the associated von Neumann entropy. For spin-0 quarkonia, we show that this entropy reduces to the Shannon entropy of the unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distribution (TMD), up to constant color and spin contributions. For spin-1 quarkonia, we derive the explicit polarization dependence of the entropy and connect it to polarized and tensor-polarized TMDs. Using light-front wave functions obtained via basis light-front quantization (BLFQ), we evaluate the entanglement entropy for charmonium and bottomonium states, revealing a pronounced sensitivity to the polarization of vector mesons. Furthermore, we resolve the infrared parameter by matching the momentum-space entropy to a harmonic-oscillator representation. Ultimately, these results establish entanglement entropy as a novel probe of nonperturbative quarkonium structure, forging a direct link between quantum information measures and partonic observables.We investigate quark-antiquark entanglement in heavy quarkonium within a nonperturbative light-front Hamiltonian framework. By tracing over the antiquark degrees of freedom in the hadronic state vector, we construct the reduced density matrix of the quark subsystem and compute the associated von Neumann entropy. For spin-0 quarkonia, we show that this entropy reduces to the Shannon entropy of the unpolarized transverse momentum dependent parton distribution (TMD), up to constant color and spin contributions. For spin-1 quarkonia, we derive the explicit polarization dependence of the entropy and connect it to polarized and tensor-polarized TMDs. Using light-front wave functions obtained via basis light-front quantization (BLFQ), we evaluate the entanglement entropy for charmonium and bottomonium states, revealing a pronounced sensitivity to the polarization of vector mesons. Furthermore, we resolve the infrared parameter by matching the momentum-space entropy to a harmonic-oscillator representation. Ultimately, these results establish entanglement entropy as a novel probe of nonperturbative quarkonium structure, forging a direct link between quantum information measures and partonic observables.

hep-phCross-listedarXiv:2607.24068Jul 28, 20260 citations

W

mass measurement at the Large Hadron Collider. Improving the precision of such measurements is essential in the search for new physics. Quantum simulation offers an efficient way of studying quantum field theories (QFTs) such as QCD nonperturbatively. Previous quantum algorithms for simulating QFTs have qubit requirements that are well beyond the most ambitious experimental proposals for large-scale quantum computers. Can the qubit requirements for such algorithms be brought into range of quantum computation with several thousand logical qubits? We show how this can be achieved by using the light-front formulation of quantum field theory. This work was inspired by the similarity of the light-front formulation to quantum chemistry, first noted by Wilson [Nucl. Phys. B, Proc. Suppl. 17, 82 (1990)].