Review on novel methods for lattice gauge theories

TL;DR

This review discusses emerging quantum information-based methods like tensor networks and quantum simulations as promising alternatives to traditional lattice gauge theory techniques, especially for challenging problems like real-time evolution.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent interdisciplinary approaches and their potential to overcome limitations of standard Monte Carlo methods in lattice gauge theories.

Findings

Quantum information methods offer new research avenues.

These methods could address sign problems in simulations.

Interdisciplinary efforts are advancing the field.

Abstract

Formulating gauge theories on a lattice offers a genuinely non-perturbative way of studying quantum field theories, and has led to impressive achievements. In particular, it significantly deepened our understanding of quantum chromodynamics. Yet, some very relevant problems remain inherently challenging, such as real time evolution, or the presence of a chemical potential, cases in which Monte Carlo simulations are hindered by a sign problem. In the last few years, a number of possible alternatives have been put forward, based on quantum information ideas, which could potentially open the access to areas of research that have so far eluded more standard methods. They include tensor network calculations, quantum simulations with different physical platforms and quantum computations, and constitute nowadays a vibrant research area. Experts from different fields, including experimental and theoretical high energy physics, condensed matter, and quantum information, are turning their attention to these interdisciplinary possibilities, and driving the progress of the field. The aim of this article is to review the status and perspectives of these new avenues for the exploration of lattice gauge theories.