Preparations for Quantum Computing in Hadron Physics

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential impact of quantum computing on hadron physics, highlighting specific applications where quantum algorithms could provide unique insights into complex quantum chromodynamics phenomena.

Contribution

It reviews how quantum computers can be used to obtain ab-initio QCD-level information in hadron physics, especially in areas difficult for classical methods.

Findings

Quantum computing can address the sign problem in lattice gauge theory.

Quantum algorithms can simulate time evolution in Minkowski space.

Potential for quantum computing to complement traditional methods in hadron physics.

Abstract

Quantum computers are coming online and will quickly impact hadron physics once certain fidelity, decoherence and memory thresholds are met, quite possibly within a decade. We review a selected number of topics where ab-initio QCD-level information about hadrons can be obtained with this computational tool that is hard to come by from other methods. This includes high baryon-density systems such as neutron-star matter (with a sign problem in lattice gauge theory); fragmentation functions; Monte Carlo generation of particles which accounts for quantum correlations in the final state; entropy production in jets; and generally, any application where time evolution in Minkowski space (as opposed to a Euclidean formulation) or where large chemical potentials play an important dynamical role. For other problems, such as the prediction of very highly excited hadron spectroscopy, they will not be a unique, but a complementary tool.