We propose a new method to study path integrals for discrete quantum systems in which we work directly in the Euclidean time continuum. The method is of general interest. Here it is applied to the Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnet using a continuous-time version of a loop cluster algorithm. This algorithm is exploited to confirm the predictions of chiral perturbation theory in the extreme low temperature regime, down to $T\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.01J$ . A fit of the low-energy parameters of chiral perturbation theory gives excellent agreement with previous results and with experiments.We propose a new method to study path integrals for discrete quantum systems in which we work directly in the Euclidean time continuum. The method is of general interest. Here it is applied to the Heisenberg quantum antiferromagnet using a continuous-time version of a loop cluster algorithm. This algorithm is exploited to confirm the predictions of chiral perturbation theory in the extreme low temperature regime, down to $T\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.01J$. A fit of the low-energy parameters of chiral perturbation theory gives excellent agreement with previous results and with experiments.

Physical Review LettersDec 16, 1996329 citations

Gauge field digitization in the Hamiltonian limit

Attila Pásztor, Dávid Pesznyák

Quantum computers can circumvent the numerical sign problem in gauge theories at finite density or in real time. Quantum simulations of gauge theories require a finite-dimensional representation of continuous gauge fields. Replacing a continuous gauge group by a finite subgroup can substantially reduce the required quantum resources, but introduces digitization errors that must be controlled in the Hamiltonian, or continuous-time, limit. Previous studies, using the isotropic Euclidean lattices showed that the freezing transition of the discrete subgroup can make it a bad approximation for the continuous group at large Euclidean couplings. Here, we study the digitization of U(1) by its Z( $N$ ) subgroups in 2+1 dimensions using anisotropic Euclidean lattices. We derive the trajectories of the spatial and temporal gauge couplings along which the Hamiltonian limit is approached at fixed Hamiltonian coupling. While the temporal coupling exhibits power-law scaling in the continuous U(1) theory, it grows only logarithmically for finite Z( $N$ ). Using classical lattice simulations and exact diagonalization, we verify that these trajectories reproduce the corresponding Hamiltonian theories. We find that the freezing transition persists in the Hamiltonian limit of discrete gauge groups and that finite- $N$ theories can differ substantially from U(1) even outside the frozen regime, in contrast to the behavior on isotropic Euclidean lattices, where for small couplings, the discrete group provides a very accurate approximation of the continuous group. Our results provide a classical benchmark for quantifying the systematic errors due to gauge-field digitization in quantum simulations.Quantum computers can circumvent the numerical sign problem in gauge theories at finite density or in real time. Quantum simulations of gauge theories require a finite-dimensional representation of continuous gauge fields. Replacing a continuous gauge group by a finite subgroup can substantially reduce the required quantum resources, but introduces digitization errors that must be controlled in the Hamiltonian, or continuous-time, limit. Previous studies, using the isotropic Euclidean lattices showed that the freezing transition of the discrete subgroup can make it a bad approximation for the continuous group at large Euclidean couplings. Here, we study the digitization of U(1) by its Z($N$) subgroups in 2+1 dimensions using anisotropic Euclidean lattices. We derive the trajectories of the spatial and temporal gauge couplings along which the Hamiltonian limit is approached at fixed Hamiltonian coupling. While the temporal coupling exhibits power-law scaling in the continuous U(1) theory, it grows only logarithmically for finite Z($N$). Using classical lattice simulations and exact diagonalization, we verify that these trajectories reproduce the corresponding Hamiltonian theories. We find that the freezing transition persists in the Hamiltonian limit of discrete gauge groups and that finite-$N$ theories can differ substantially from U(1) even outside the frozen regime, in contrast to the behavior on isotropic Euclidean lattices, where for small couplings, the discrete group provides a very accurate approximation of the continuous group. Our results provide a classical benchmark for quantifying the systematic errors due to gauge-field digitization in quantum simulations.

arXiv:2609.07886Sep 7, 20260 citations

Qubit-based Model for Simulation of Discrete Quantum Systems

Steven Peil

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 21, 20090 citations

Computer simulation of quantum systems

Journal of Physics and Chemistry of SolidsJan 1, 19830 citations

T\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.01J

. A fit of the low-energy parameters of chiral perturbation theory gives excellent agreement with previous results and with experiments.

N

) subgroups in 2+1 dimensions using anisotropic Euclidean lattices. We derive the trajectories of the spatial and temporal gauge couplings along which the Hamiltonian limit is approached at fixed Hamiltonian coupling. While the temporal coupling exhibits power-law scaling in the continuous U(1) theory, it grows only logarithmically for finite Z(

N

). Using classical lattice simulations and exact diagonalization, we verify that these trajectories reproduce the corresponding Hamiltonian theories. We find that the freezing transition persists in the Hamiltonian limit of discrete gauge groups and that finite-

N

theories can differ substantially from U(1) even outside the frozen regime, in contrast to the behavior on isotropic Euclidean lattices, where for small couplings, the discrete group provides a very accurate approximation of the continuous group. Our results provide a classical benchmark for quantifying the systematic errors due to gauge-field digitization in quantum simulations.