Gauss's Law, Duality, and the Hamiltonian Formulation of U(1) Lattice Gauge Theory

TL;DR

This paper explores a Hamiltonian formulation of U(1) lattice gauge theory suitable for quantum computing, emphasizing physical state restriction and electric-magnetic duality to reduce computational complexity.

Contribution

It introduces a method to restrict wave functions to the physical subspace in U(1) lattice gauge theory, leveraging duality to improve quantum simulation efficiency.

Findings

Duality aids in reducing variables in 2D simulations.

Restricting to physical states simplifies quantum computations.

Magnetic regulation may benefit asymptotically-free theories.

Abstract

Quantum computers have the potential to explore the vast Hilbert space of entangled states that play an important role in the behavior of strongly interacting matter. This opportunity motivates reconsidering the Hamiltonian formulation of gauge theories, with a suitable truncation scheme to render the Hilbert space finite-dimensional. Conventional formulations lead to a Hilbert space largely spanned by unphysical states; given the current inability to perform large scale quantum computations, we examine here how one might restrict wave function evolution entirely or mostly to the physical subspace. We consider such constructions for the simplest of these theories containing dynamical gauge bosons -- U(1) lattice gauge theory without matter in $d=2,3$ spatial dimensions -- and find that electric-magnetic duality naturally plays an important role. We conclude that this approach is likely to significantly reduce computational overhead in $d=2$ by a reduction of variables and by allowing one to regulate magnetic fluctuations instead of electric. The former advantage does not exist in $d=3$, but the latter might be important for asymptotically-free gauge theories.