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Quantum computing universal thermalization dynamics in a (2 + 1)D Lattice Gauge Theory

Author

Listed:
  • Niklas Mueller

    (Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of New Mexico
    Department of Physics, University of Washington)

  • Tianyi Wang

    (Duke University
    Duke University
    University of Maryland, College Park)

  • Or Katz

    (Duke University
    Duke University
    Cornell University)

  • Zohreh Davoudi

    (University of Maryland, College Park
    University of Maryland, College Park
    NIST and University of Maryland, College Park
    University of Maryland, College Park)

  • Marko Cetina

    (Duke University
    Duke University
    University of Maryland, College Park
    Duke University)

Abstract

Simulating non-equilibrium phenomena in strongly-interacting quantum many-body systems, including thermalization, is a promising application of near-term and future quantum computation. By performing experiments on a digital quantum computer consisting of fully-connected optically-controlled trapped ions, we study the role of entanglement in the thermalization dynamics of a Z2 lattice gauge theory in 2+1 spacetime dimensions. Using randomized-measurement protocols, we efficiently learn a classical approximation of non-equilibrium states that yields the gap-ratio distribution and the spectral form factor of the entanglement Hamiltonian. These observables exhibit universal early-time signals for quantum chaos, a prerequisite for thermalization. Our work, therefore, establishes quantum computers as robust tools for studying universal features of thermalization in complex many-body systems, including in gauge theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Niklas Mueller & Tianyi Wang & Or Katz & Zohreh Davoudi & Marko Cetina, 2025. "Quantum computing universal thermalization dynamics in a (2 + 1)D Lattice Gauge Theory," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60177-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60177-7
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