Gluon field digitization for quantum computers

Abstract

Simulations of gauge theories on quantum computers require the digitization of continuous field variables. Digitization schemes that use the minimum amount of qubits are desirable. We present a practical scheme for digitizing $SU(3)$ gauge theories via its discrete subgroup $S(1080)$. The $S(1080)$ standard Wilson action cannot be used since a phase transition occurs as the coupling is decreased, well before the scaling regime. We propose a modified action that allows simulations in the scaling window and carry out classical Monte Carlo calculations down to lattice spacings of order $a\ensuremath{\approx}0.08\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{fm}$. We compute a set of observables with subpercent precision at multiple lattice spacings and show that the continuum extrapolated value agrees with the full $SU(3)$ results. This suggests that this digitization scheme provides sufficient precision for noisy intermediate-scale quantum era QCD simulations.