The phase diagram of quantum chromodynamics in one dimension on a quantum computer

Anton T. Than, Yasar Y. Atas, Abhijit Chakraborty, Jinglei Zhang, Matthew T. Diaz, Kalea Wen, Xingxin Liu, Randy Lewis, Alaina M. Green, Christine A. Muschik and Norbert M. Linke ()
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Anton T. Than: University of Maryland, Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics
Yasar Y. Atas: University of Waterloo, Institute for Quantum Computing
Abhijit Chakraborty: University of Waterloo, Institute for Quantum Computing
Jinglei Zhang: University of Waterloo, Institute for Quantum Computing
Matthew T. Diaz: University of Maryland, Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics
Kalea Wen: University of Maryland, Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics
Xingxin Liu: University of Maryland, Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics
Randy Lewis: York University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Alaina M. Green: University of Maryland, Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics
Christine A. Muschik: University of Waterloo, Institute for Quantum Computing
Norbert M. Linke: University of Maryland, Joint Quantum Institute and Department of Physics

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: Abstract The quantum chromodynamics (QCD) phase diagram, which reveals the state of strongly interacting matter at different temperatures and densities, is key to answering open questions in physics, ranging from the behaviour of particles in neutron stars to the conditions of the early universe. However, classical simulations of QCD face significant computational barriers, such as the sign problem at finite matter densities. Quantum computing offers a promising solution to overcome these challenges. Here, we take an important step toward exploring the QCD phase diagram with quantum devices by preparing thermal states in one-dimensional non-Abelian gauge theories. We experimentally simulate the thermal states of SU(2) and SU(3) gauge theories at finite densities on a trapped-ion quantum computer using a variational method. This is achieved by introducing two features: Firstly, we add motional ancillae to the existing qubit register to efficiently prepare thermal probability distributions. Secondly, we introduce charge-singlet measurements to enforce colour-neutrality constraints. This work pioneers the quantum simulation of QCD at finite density and temperature for two and three colours, laying the foundation to explore QCD phenomena on quantum platforms.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-65198-w

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