Quantum Simulations of the Non-Unitary Time Evolution and Applications to Neutral-Kaon Oscillations

TL;DR

This paper presents an efficient quantum algorithm for simulating non-unitary time evolution in neutral-kaon oscillations, demonstrating its effectiveness on IBM quantum computers and potential for broader open-system applications.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum simulation algorithm for non-unitary dynamics of particle oscillations, utilizing basic gates and an environment qubit, suitable for current quantum hardware.

Findings

Results align with theoretical predictions

Algorithm successfully implemented on IBM quantum computers

Applicable to open quantum systems beyond particle physics

Abstract

In light of recent exciting progress in building up quantum computing facilities based on both optical and cold-atom techniques, the algorithms for quantum simulations of particle-physics systems are in rapid progress. In this paper, we propose an efficient algorithm for simulating the non-unitary time evolution of neutral-kaon oscillations $K^0 \leftrightarrow \overline{K}^0$, with or without CP conservation, on the quantum computers provided by the IBM company. The essential strategy is to realize the time-evolution operator with basic quantum gates and an extra qubit corresponding to some external environment. The final results are well consistent with theoretical expectations, and the algorithm can also be applied to open systems beyond elementary particles.