Quantum Simulations of Two-Dimensional Non-Abelian Adjoint String Breaking

Abstract

Quantum computers offer the potential to directly probe the dynamics of strongly coupled quantum field theories. As a step towards reaching this potential, local Krylov-based truncations of a pure SU(2) lattice gauge theory on a triangular lattice are constructed. Adjoint strings connected to dynamical gluons are constructed in this truncated theory, and the resonances dominating the long-term dynamics at a large value of the gauge coupling are determined. Local operators are constructed to identify string oscillations and breakings. This is used to perform a quantum simulation of adjoint string breaking on an $8\times8$ and $16\times8$-site lattice with ibm_boston using all 156 qubits. Quantitative agreement with tensor network simulations is obtained for circuits with 7,634 CZ gates with a two-qubit gate depth of 218. In this simulation, the rates of oscillations and glueball production are identified with a distinctly non-Abelian signature of the underlying gauge group.