Efficient Quantum Simulation of QCD Jets on the Light Front

TL;DR

This paper introduces a scalable quantum simulation framework for studying the complex dynamics of quark and gluon jets in high-energy nuclear collisions, enabling new insights into jet evolution and related observables.

Contribution

It presents a novel method for mapping QCD Hamiltonian dynamics onto qubits and simulating jet evolution in a unified quantum framework.

Findings

Validated the quantum simulation algorithm with classical emulators.

Extended previous studies to include up to three particles in Fock states.

Enabled analysis of jet observables like momentum broadening and particle production.

Abstract

Quark and gluon jets provide one of the best ways to probe the matter produced in ultrarelativistic high-energy collisions, from cold nuclear matter to hot quark-gluon plasma. In this work, we propose a unified framework for efficient quantum simulation of many-body dynamics using the (3+1)-dimensional QCD Hamiltonian on the light front, particularly suited for studying the scattering of quark and gluon jets on nuclear matter in heavy-ion collisions. We describe scalable methods for mapping physical degrees of freedom onto qubits and for simulating in-medium jet evolution. We then validate our framework by implementing an algorithm that directly maps second-quantized Fock states onto qubits and uses Trotterized simulation for simulating time dynamics. Using a classical emulator, we investigate the evolution of quark and gluon jets with up to three particles in Fock states, extending prior studies. These calculations enable the study of key observables, including jet momentum broadening, particle production, and parton distribution functions.