non-Abelian Lattice Gauge Theories Research Articles

Real-time correlators in 3+1D thermal lattice gauge theory

We present the first direct computation of unequal-time correlation functions in non-Abelian lattice gauge theory. We demonstrate nontrivial consistency relations among correlators, time-translation invariance, and agreement with Monte Carlo results for thermal equilibrium in 3+1 dimensions by employing our stabilized complex Langevin method. Our work sets the stage to extract real-time observables, relevant to quark-gluon plasma physics within a first-principles real-time framework. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Entanglement entropy in lattices with non-Abelian gauge groups

Entanglement entropy, taken here to be geometric, requires a geometrically separable Hilbert space. In lattice gauge theories, it is not immediately clear if the physical Hilbert space is geometrically separable. In a previous paper we have shown that the physical Hilbert space in pure gauge Abelian lattice theories exhibits some form of geometric scaling with the lattice volume, which suggest that the space is locally factorizable and, therefore, geometrically separable. In this paper, we provide strong evidence that indicates that this scaling is not present when the group is non-Abelian. We do so by looking at the scaling of the dimension of the physical Hilbert space of theories with certain discrete groups. The lack of an appropriate scaling implies that the physical Hilbert space of such a theory does not admit a local factorization. We then extend the reasoning, as sensibly possible, to SU(2) and SU(N) to reach the same conclusion. Lastly, we show that the addition of matter fields to non-Abelian lattice gauge theories makes the resulting physical Hilbert space locally factorizable. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

General quantum algorithms for Hamiltonian simulation with applications to a non-Abelian lattice gauge theory

With a focus on universal quantum computing for quantum simulation, and through the example of lattice gauge theories, we introduce rather general quantum algorithms that can efficiently simulate certain classes of interactions consisting of correlated changes in multiple (bosonic and fermionic) quantum numbers with non-trivial functional coefficients. In particular, we analyze diagonalization of Hamiltonian terms using a singular-value decomposition technique, and discuss how the achieved diagonal unitaries in the digitized time-evolution operator can be implemented. The lattice gauge theory studied is the SU(2) gauge theory in 1+1 dimensions coupled to one flavor of staggered fermions, for which a complete quantum-resource analysis within different computational models is presented. The algorithms are shown to be applicable to higher-dimensional theories as well as to other Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories. The example chosen further demonstrates the importance of adopting efficient theoretical formulations: it is shown that an explicitly gauge-invariant formulation using loop, string, and hadron degrees of freedom simplifies the algorithms and lowers the cost compared with the standard formulations based on angular-momentum as well as the Schwinger-boson degrees of freedom. The loop-string-hadron formulation further retains the non-Abelian gauge symmetry despite the inexactness of the digitized simulation, without the need for costly controlled operations. Such theoretical and algorithmic considerations are likely to be essential in quantumly simulating other complex theories of relevance to nature.

Confinement in non-Abelian lattice gauge theory via persistent homology

We investigate the structure of confining and deconfining phases in SU(2) lattice gauge theory via persistent homology, which gives us access to the topology of a hierarchy of combinatorial objects constructed from given data. Specifically, we use filtrations by traced Polyakov loops, topological densities, holonomy Lie algebra fields, as well as electric and magnetic fields. This allows for a comprehensive picture of confinement. In particular, topological densities form spatial lumps which show signatures of the classical probability distribution of instanton-dyons. Signatures of well-separated dyons located at random positions are encoded in holonomy Lie algebra fields, following the semiclassical temperature dependence of the instanton appearance probability. Debye screening discriminating between electric and magnetic fields is visible in persistent homology and pronounced at large gauge coupling. All employed constructions are gauge-invariant without a priori assumptions on the configurations under study. This work showcases the versatility of persistent homology for statistical and quantum physics studies, barely explored to date.

Non-Abelian gauge invariance from dynamical decoupling

Lattice gauge theories are fundamental to such distinct fields as particle physics, condensed matter or quantum information theory. The recent progress in the control of artificial quantum systems already allows for studying Abelian lattice gauge theories in tabletop experiments. However, the realization of non-Abelian models remains challenging. Here, we employ a coherent quantum control scheme to enforce non-Abelian gauge invariance, and discuss this idea in detail for a one-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge system. We comment on how to extend our scheme to other non-Abelian gauge symmetries and higher spatial dimensions. Because of its wide applicability, the presented coherent control scheme provides a promising route for the quantum simulation of non-Abelian lattice gauge theories.

Protecting local and global symmetries in simulating (1+1)D non-Abelian gauge theories

Efficient quantum simulation protocols for any quantum theories demand efficient protection protocols for its underlying symmetries. This task is nontrivial for gauge theories as it is involves local symmetry/invariance. For non-Abelian gauge theories, protecting all the symmetries generated by a set of mutually non-commuting generators, is particularly difficult. In this letter, a global symmetry-protection protocol is proposed. Using the novel loop-string-hadron formalism of non-Abelian lattice gauge theory, we numerically demonstrate that all of the local symmetries get protected even for large time by this global symmetry protection scheme. With suitable protection strength, the dynamics of a (1+1)-dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory remains confined in the physical Hilbert space of the theory even in presence of explicit local symmetry violating terms in the Hamiltonian that may occur in both analog and digital simulation schemes as an error. The whole scheme holds for SU(3) gauge theory as well.

Gauge protection in non-abelian lattice gauge theories

Protection of gauge invariance in experimental realizations of lattice gauge theories based on energy-penalty schemes has recently stimulated impressive efforts both theoretically and in setups of quantum synthetic matter. A major challenge is the reliability of such schemes in non-abelian gauge theories where local conservation laws do not commute. Here, we show through exact diagonalization (ED) that non-abelian gauge invariance can be reliably controlled using gauge-protection terms that energetically stabilize the target gauge sector in Hilbert space, suppressing gauge violations due to unitary gauge-breaking errors. We present analytic arguments that predict a volume-independent protection strength V, which when sufficiently large leads to the emergence of an adjusted gauge theory with the same local gauge symmetry up to least a timescale . Thereafter, a renormalized gauge theory dominates up to a timescale ∝exp(V/V 0)/V 0 with V 0 a volume-independent energy factor, similar to the case of faulty abelian gauge theories. Moreover, we show for certain experimentally relevant errors that single-body protection terms robustly suppress gauge violations up to all accessible evolution times in ED, and demonstrate that the adjusted gauge theory emerges in this case as well. These single-body protection terms can be readily implemented with fewer engineering requirements than the ideal gauge theory itself in current ultracold-atom setups and noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices.

Cold-atom quantum simulator for string and hadron dynamics in non-Abelian lattice gauge theory

We propose an analog quantum simulator for simulating real-time dynamics of $(1+1)$-dimensional non-Abelian gauge theory well within the existing capacity of ultracold-atom experiments. The scheme calls for the realization of a two-state ultracold fermionic system in a one-dimensional bipartite lattice, and the observation of subsequent tunneling dynamics. Being based on the loop string hadron formalism of $SU(2)$ lattice gauge theory, this simulation technique is completely $SU(2)$ invariant and simulates accurate dynamics of physical phenomena such as string breaking and/or pair production. The scheme is scalable and particularly effective in simulating the theory in the weak-coupling regime, and also a bulk limit of the theory in the strong-coupling regime up to certain approximations. This paper also presents a numerical benchmark comparison of the exact spectrum and real-time dynamics of lattice gauge theory to that of the atomic Hamiltonian with an experimentally realizable range of parameters.

Search for efficient formulations for Hamiltonian simulation of non-Abelian lattice gauge theories

Hamiltonian formulation of lattice gauge theories (LGTs) is the most natural framework for the purpose of quantum simulation, an area of research that is growing with advances in quantum-computing algorithms and hardware. It, therefore, remains an important task to identify the most accurate, while computationally economic, Hamiltonian formulation(s) in such theories, considering the necessary truncation imposed on the Hilbert space of gauge bosons with any finite computing resources. This paper is a first step toward addressing this question in the case of non-Abelian LGTs, which further require the imposition of non-Abelian Gauss's laws on the Hilbert space, introducing additional computational complexity. Focusing on the case of SU(2) LGT in 1+1 D coupled to matter, a number of different formulations of the original Kogut-Susskind framework are analyzed with regard to the dependence of the dimension of the physical Hilbert space on boundary conditions, system's size, and the cutoff on the excitations of gauge bosons. The impact of such dependencies on the accuracy of the spectrum and dynamics is examined, and the (classical) computational-resource requirements given these considerations are studied. Besides the well-known angular-momentum formulation of the theory, the cases of purely fermionic and purely bosonic formulations (with open boundary conditions), and the Loop-String-Hadron formulation are analyzed, along with a brief discussion of a Quantum Link Model of the same theory. Clear advantages are found in working with the Loop-String-Hadron framework which implements non-Abelian Gauss's laws a priori using a complete set of gauge-invariant operators. Although small lattices are studied in the numerical analysis of this work, and only the simplest algorithms are considered, a range of conclusions will be applicable to larger systems and potentially to higher dimensions.

Investigating a (3+1)D topological θ -term in the Hamiltonian formulation of lattice gauge theories for quantum and classical simulations

Quantum technologies offer the prospect to efficiently simulate sign-problem afflicted regimes in lattice field theory, such as the presence of topological terms, chemical potentials, and out-of-equilibrium dynamics. In this work, we derive the (3+1)D topological $\theta$-term for Abelian and non-Abelian lattice gauge theories in the Hamiltonian formulation, paving the way towards Hamiltonian-based simulations of such terms on quantum and classical computers. We further study numerically the zero-temperature phase structure of a (3+1)D U(1) lattice gauge theory with the $\theta$-term via exact diagonalization for a single periodic cube. In the strong coupling regime, our results suggest the occurrence of a phase transition at constant values of $\theta$, as indicated by an avoided level-crossing and abrupt changes in the plaquette expectation value, the electric energy density, and the topological charge density. These results could in principle be cross-checked by the recently developed (3+1)D tensor network methods and quantum simulations, once sufficient resources become available.

From the Jaynes–Cummings model to non-abelian gauge theories: a guided tour for the quantum engineer

The design of quantum many body systems, which have to fulfill an extensive number of constraints, appears as a formidable challenge within the field of quantum simulation. Lattice gauge theories are a particular important class of quantum systems with an extensive number of local constraints and play a central role in high energy physics, condensed matter and quantum information. Whereas recent experimental progress points towards the feasibility of large-scale quantum simulation of abelian gauge theories, the quantum simulation of non-abelian gauge theories appears still elusive. In this paper we present minimal non-abelian lattice gauge theories, whereby we introduce the necessary formalism in well-known abelian gauge theories, such as the Jaynes–Cumming model. In particular, we show that certain minimal non-abelian lattice gauge theories can be mapped to three or four level systems, for which the design of a quantum simulator is standard with current technologies. Further we give an upper bound for the Hilbert space dimension of a one dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory, and argue that the implementation with current digital quantum computer appears feasible.

Simulating lattice gauge theories within quantum technologies

Lattice gauge theories, which originated from particle physics in the context of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), provide an important intellectual stimulus to further develop quantum information technologies. While one long-term goal is the reliable quantum simulation of currently intractable aspects of QCD itself, lattice gauge theories also play an important role in condensed matter physics and in quantum information science. In this way, lattice gauge theories provide both motivation and a framework for interdisciplinary research towards the development of special purpose digital and analog quantum simulators, and ultimately of scalable universal quantum computers. In this manuscript, recent results and new tools from a quantum science approach to study lattice gauge theories are reviewed. Two new complementary approaches are discussed: first, tensor network methods are presented – a classical simulation approach – applied to the study of lattice gauge theories together with some results on Abelian and non-Abelian lattice gauge theories. Then, recent proposals for the implementation of lattice gauge theory quantum simulators in different quantum hardware are reported, e.g., trapped ions, Rydberg atoms, and superconducting circuits. Finally, the first proof-of-principle trapped ions experimental quantum simulations of the Schwinger model are reviewed.Graphical abstract

Non-abelian lattice gauge theory with a topological action

SU(2) gauge theory is investigated with a lattice action which is insensitive to small perturbations of the lattice gauge fields. Bare perturbation theory can not be defined for such actions at all. We compare non-perturbative continuum results with that obtained by the usual Wilson plaquette action. The compared observables span a wide range of interesting phenomena: zero temperature large volume behavior (topological susceptibility), finite temperature phase transition (critical exponents and critical temperature) and also the small volume regime (discrete β-function or step-scaling function). In the continuum limit perfect agreement is found indicating that universality holds for these topological lattice actions as well.

Approximate dual representation for Yang\u2013Mills SU(2) gauge theory

An approximate dual representation for non-Abelian lattice gauge theories in terms of a new set of dynamical variables, the plaquette occupation numbers (PONs) that are natural numbers, is discussed. They are the expansion indices of the local series of the expansion of the Boltzmann factors for every plaquette of the Yang–Mills action. After studying the constraints due to gauge symmetry, the SU(2) gauge theory is solved using Monte Carlo simulations. For a PONs configuration the weight factor is given by Haar-measure integrals over all links whose integrands are products of powers of plaquettes. Herein, updates are limited to changes of the PON at a plaquette or all PONs on a coordinate plane. The Markov chain transition probabilities are computed employing truncated maximal trees and the Metropolis algorithm. The algorithm performance is investigated with different types of updates for the plaquette mean value over a large range of beta s. Using a 12^4 lattice very good agreement with a conventional heath bath algorithm is found for the strong and weak coupling limits. Deviations from the latter being below 0.1% for 2.5< beta < 3. The mass of the lightest J^{PC}=0^{++} glueball is evaluated and reproduces the results found in the literature.

Duals of U(N) LGT with staggered fermions

Various approaches to construction of dual formulations of non-abelian lattice gauge theories are reviewed. In the case of U(N) LGT we use a theory of the Weingarten functions to construct a dual formulation. In particular, the dual representations are constructed 1) for pure gauge models in all dimensions, 2) in the strong coupling limit for the models with arbitrary number of flavours and 3) for two-dimensional U(N) QCD with staggered fermions. Applications related to the finite temperature/density QCD are discussed.

Abelian color cycles: A new approach to strong coupling expansion and dual representations for non-abelian lattice gauge theory

We propose a new approach to strong coupling series and dual representations for non-abelian lattice gauge theories using the SU(2) case as an example. The Wilson gauge action is written as a sum over “abelian color cycles” (ACC) which correspond to loops in color space around plaquettes. The ACCs are complex numbers which can be commuted freely such that the strong coupling series and the dual representation can be obtained as in the abelian case. Using a suitable representation of the SU(2) gauge variables we integrate out all original gauge links and identify the constraints for the dual variables in the SU(2) case. We show that the construction can be generalized to the case of SU(2) gauge fields with staggered fermions. The result is a strong coupling series where all gauge integrals are known in closed form and we discuss its applicability for possible dual simulations. The abelian color cycle concept can be generalized to other non-abelian gauge groups such as SU(3).

Real-time dynamics of lattice gauge theories with a few-qubit quantum computer.

Gauge theories are fundamental to our understanding of interactions between the elementary constituents of matter as mediated by gauge bosons. However, computing the real-time dynamics in gauge theories is a notorious challenge for classical computational methods. This has recently stimulated theoretical effort, using Feynman's idea of a quantum simulator, to devise schemes for simulating such theories on engineered quantum-mechanical devices, with the difficulty that gauge invariance and the associated local conservation laws (Gauss laws) need to be implemented. Here we report the experimental demonstration of a digital quantum simulation of a lattice gauge theory, by realizing (1 + 1)-dimensional quantum electrodynamics (the Schwinger model) on a few-qubit trapped-ion quantum computer. We are interested in the real-time evolution of the Schwinger mechanism, describing the instability of the bare vacuum due to quantum fluctuations, which manifests itself in the spontaneous creation of electron-positron pairs. To make efficient use of our quantum resources, we map the original problem to a spin model by eliminating the gauge fields in favour of exotic long-range interactions, which can be directly and efficiently implemented on an ion trap architecture. We explore the Schwinger mechanism of particle-antiparticle generation by monitoring the mass production and the vacuum persistence amplitude. Moreover, we track the real-time evolution of entanglement in the system, which illustrates how particle creation and entanglement generation are directly related. Our work represents a first step towards quantum simulation of high-energy theories using atomic physics experiments-the long-term intention is to extend this approach to real-time quantum simulations of non-Abelian lattice gauge theories.

Matrix product states and the non-Abelian rotor model

We use uniform matrix product states (MPS) to study the (1+1)D $O(2)$ and $O(4)$ rotor models, which are equivalent to the Kogut-Susskind formulation of matter-free nonabelian lattice gauge theory on a "hawaiian earring" graph for $U(1)$ and $SU(2)$, respectively. Applying tangent space methods to obtain ground states and determine the mass gap and the $\beta$ function, we find excellent agreement with known results, locating the BKT transition for $O(2)$ and successfully entering the asymptotic weak-coupling regime for $O(4)$. To obtain a finite local Hilbert space, we truncate in the space of generalized Fourier modes of the gauge group, comparing the effects of different cutoff values. We find that higher modes become important in the crossover and weak-coupling regimes of the nonabelian theory, where entanglement also suddenly increases. This could have important consequences for TNS studies of Yang-Mills on higher dimensional graphs.

Non-Abelian string breaking phenomena with matrix product states

Using matrix product states, we explore numerically the phenomenology of string breaking in a non-Abelian lattice gauge theory, namely 1+1 dimensional SU(2). The technique allows us to study the static potential between external heavy charges, as traditionally explored by Monte Carlo simulations, but also to simulate the real-time dynamics of both static and dynamical fermions, as the latter are fully included in the formalism. We propose a number of observables that are sensitive to the presence or breaking of the flux string, and use them to detect and characterize the phenomenon in each of these setups.

Entanglement entropy and nonabelian gauge symmetry

Entanglement entropy has proven to be an extremely useful concept in quantum field theory. Gauge theories are of particular interest, but for these systems the entanglement entropy is not clearly defined because the physical Hilbert space does not factor as a tensor product according to regions of space. Here we review a definition of entanglement entropy that applies to abelian and nonabelian lattice gauge theories. This entanglement entropy is obtained by embedding the physical Hilbert space into a product of Hilbert spaces associated to regions with boundary. The latter Hilbert spaces include degrees of freedom on the entangling surface that transform like surface charges under the gauge symmetry. These degrees of freedom are shown to contribute to the entanglement entropy, and the form of this contribution is determined by the gauge symmetry. We test our definition using the example of two-dimensional Yang–Mills theory, and find that it agrees with the thermal entropy in de Sitter space, and with the results of the Euclidean replica trick. We discuss the possible implications of this result for more complicated gauge theories, including quantum gravity.