Simulating one-dimensional quantum chromodynamics on a quantum computer: Real-time evolutions of tetra- and pentaquarks

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first quantum computation of real-time evolution of tetraquark and pentaquark states in a one-dimensional SU(3) gauge theory, showcasing quantum computers' potential for nonperturbative QCD studies.

Contribution

It introduces a pioneering quantum simulation of quark dynamics with three color degrees of freedom, advancing the application of quantum computing to QCD.

Findings

Successful real-time evolution of tetraquark and pentaquark states.

First quantum computation involving SU(3) gauge theory with quarks.

Demonstrates feasibility of quantum simulations for nonperturbative QCD phenomena.

Abstract

Quantum chromodynamics - the theory of quarks and gluons - has been known for decades, but it is yet to be fully understood. A recent example is the prediction and experimental discovery of tetraquarks, that opened a new research field. Crucially, numerous unsolved questions of the standard model can exclusively be addressed by nonperturbative calculations. Quantum computers can solve problems for which well established QCD methods are inapplicable, such as real-time evolution. We take a key step in exploring this possibility by performing a real-time evolution of tetraquark and pentaquark physics in one-dimensional SU(3) gauge theory on a superconducting quantum computer. Our experiment represents a first quantum computation involving quarks with three colour degrees of freedom, i.e. with the gauge group of QCD.