Selected topics of quantum computing for nuclear physics

Nuclear physics,whose underling theory is described by quantum gauge field coupled with matter,is fundamentally important and yet is formidably challenge for simulation with classical computers.Quantum computing provides a perhaps transformative approach for studying and understanding nuclear physics.With rapid scaling-up of quantum processors as well as advances on quantum algorithms,the digital quantum simulation approach for simulating quantum gauge fields and nuclear physics has gained lots of attention.In this review,we aim to summarize recent efforts on solving nuclear physics with quantum computers.We first discuss a formulation of nuclear physics in the language of quantum computing.In particular,we review how quantum gauge fields(both Abelian and non-Abelian)and their coupling to matter field can be mapped and studied on a quantum computer.We then introduce related quantum algorithms for solving static properties and real-time evolution for quantum systems,and show their applications for a broad range of problems in nuclear physics,including simulation of lattice gauge field,solving nucleon and nuclear structures,quantum advantage for simulating scattering in quantum field theory,non-equilibrium dynamics,and so on.Finally,a short outlook on future work is given.

Hadron productions and jet substructures associated with Z^(0)/γ in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC

We carry out a detailed study of medium modifications on Z^(0)/γ+hadron correlations as well as jet substructures in association with Z^(0)/γ in Pb+Pb collisions with √S_(NN)=5.02TeV at the LHC.We utilize the linear Boltzmann transport(LBT)model to simulate the jet-medium interactions and medium response,and an extended cluster hadronization model to investigate the nonperturbative transition of quarks and gluons into final hadrons in heavy-ion collisions.Including hadronization effect,we can well describe Z^(0)/γ+hadrons correlations and Z^(0)/γ-tagged jet substructures in both p+p and Pb+Pb collisions simultaneously.Medium modification on jet profile and jet fragmentation functions indicate that particles carrying a large fraction of the jet momentum are generally closely aligned with the jet axis,whereas low-momentum particles are observed to have a much broader angular distribution relative to jet axis in Pb+Pb collisions due to jet-medium interactions.In particular,we find that Z^(0)/γ-tagged hadron correlations are sensitive to the soft particles from the dense medium and medium response,while jet-substructures show weak dependence on those soft hadrons with only a fraction of them falling inside the jet area.

Exploring light-cone distribution amplitudes from quantum computing

Light-cone distribution amplitudes(LCDAs)are essential nonperturbative quantities for theoretical predictions of exclusive highenergy processes in quantum chromodynamics(QCD).We demonstrate the prospect of calculating LCDAs on a quantum computer by applying a recently proposed quantum algorithm,with staggered fermions,to the simulation of the LCDA in the(1+1)-dimensional Nambu-Jona-Lasinio(NJL)model on classical hardware.The agreement between the result from the classical simulation of the quantum algorithm and that from exact diagonalization justifies the proposed quantum algorithm.We find that the resulting LCDA in the NJL model exhibits features shared with the LCDAs obtained from the QCD.

The time-reversal odd side of a jet

We re-examine the jet probes of the nucleon spin and flavor structures.We find for the first time that the time-reversal odd(T-odd)component of a jet,conventionally thought to vanish,can survive due to the non-perturbative fragmentation and hadronization effects.This additional contribution of a jet will lead to novel jet phenomena relevant for unlocking the access to several spin structures of the nucleon,which were thought to be impossible by using jets.As examples,we show how the T-odd constituent can couple to the proton transversity at the Electron Ion Collider(EIC)and can give rise to the anisotropy in the jet production in e^(+)e^(-) annihilations.We expect the T-odd contribution of the jet to have broad applications in high energy nuclear physics.

Electron-ion collider in China

Lepton scattering is an established ideal tool for studying inner structure of small particles such as nucleons as well as nuclei.As a future high energy nuclear physics project,an Electron-ion collider in China(EicC)has been proposed.It will be constructed based on an upgraded heavy-ion accelerator,High Intensity heavy-ion Accelerator Facility(HIAF)which is currently under construction,together with a new electron ring.The proposed collider will provide highly polarized electrons(with a po-larization of 80%)and protons(with a polarization of 70%)with variable center of mass energies from 15 to 20 GeV and the luminosity of(2–3)×1033 cm^(−2)·s^(−1).Polarized deuterons and Helium-3,as well as unpolarized ion beams from Carbon to Uranium,will be also available at the EicC.The main foci of the EicC will be precision measurements of the structure of the nucleon in the sea quark region,including 3D tomography of nucleon;the partonic structure of nuclei and the parton interaction with the nuclear environment;the exotic states,especially those with heavy flavor quark contents.In addition,issues fundamental to understanding the origin of mass could be addressed by measurements of heavy quarkonia near-threshold production at the EicC.In order to achieve the above-mentioned physics goals,a hermetical detector system will be constructed with cutting-edge technologies.This document is the result of collective contributions and valuable inputs from experts across the globe.The EicC physics program complements the ongoing scientific programs at the Jefferson Laboratory and the future EIC project in the United States.The success of this project will also advance both nuclear and particle physics as well as accelerator and detector technology in China.