Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics and Electrodynamics on a Universal Quantum Computer

Abstract

It is widely anticipated that a large-scale quantum computer will offer an evermore accurate simulation of nature, opening the floodgates for exciting scientific breakthroughs and technological innovations. Here, we show a complete, instruction-by-instruction rubric to simulate U(1), SU(2), and SU(3) lattice gauge theories on a quantum computer. These theories describe quantum electrodynamics and chromodynamics, the key ingredients that form the fabric of our universe. We further provide a concrete estimate of the quantum computational resources required for an accurate simulation of lattice gauge theories using a second-order product formula. We show that lattice gauge theories in any spatial dimension can be simulated using $\tilde{O}(T^{3/2}N^{3/2}\Lambda/\epsilon^{1/2})$ T gates, where $N$ is the number of lattice sites, $\Lambda$ is the bosonic gauge field truncation, and $T$ is the simulation time.