Simulation of Confinement Dynamics on a Quantum Computer

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Confinement is a phenomenon that occurs when the attraction between two particles grows with their distance, most prominently found in quantum chromo-dynamics between quarks. In condensed matter physics similar physics occurs in quantum spin chains, for example in the one dimensional transverse field ldIsing model with an additional longitudinal field or as measured in experiments on CoNb2O6 (cobalt niobate) [1]. Most prominently, the effects of confinement can be seen after a quantum quench, a sudden change in the Hamiltonian describing the system [2]. These effects have been shown to occur on short chains as well as in short time periods. This makes confinement an ideal quantum effect to test the capabilities of quantum computers, since large errors are still present in current quantum simulations of sizable systems over long time periods. In this project, the underlying physics of confinement will be explored in relation to quantum simulation on state-of the art quantum computers. The goal is to benchmark the optimal initial conditions, parameters and signature(s) of confinement to be found that maximise the clarity of simulations. Using these results, simulations on a real IBM superconducting quantum device will be performed and results compared to classical simulations. Quantum confinement is a non-perturbative interaction effect and its quantum simulation opens the possibilities to explore new quantum phenomena beyond the capabilities of classical computers.