Project description
Breaking computational barriers in gauge theories
Gauge theories are mathematical frameworks used in physics to describe fundamental forces and interactions, from high-energy particle physics to condensed matter systems. They rely on symmetries to explain how particles interact and are essential for understanding electromagnetism and quantum chromodynamics. However, their study often requires computationally challenging simulations. The ERC-funded QS-Gauge project plans to develop quantum simulations for lattice gauge theories (LGTs), which represent space as a grid. Researchers will formulate LGTs using quantum group-based models. This will allow their practically efficient representation as qudits (multi-level systems) instead of qubits and enable the development of tailored quantum algorithms. The proposed work could transform the development of future quantum devices, with implications also for condensed matter physics and quantum chemistry.
Objective
Gauge theories are ubiquitous in physics with applications ranging from fundamental high-energy physics(HEP) over emergent condensed matter phenomena to quantum information science and technology. Their study often requires non-perturbative numerical simulations and several regimes of interest remain inaccessible due to the numerical sign problem of Monte-Carlo simulations. Motivated by recent advances in the control of synthetic quantum systems QS-Gauge addresses the quantum simulation of lattice gauge theories (LGTs)
beyond the reach of classical computations.
Our objectives are (i) to establish a class of regularized gauge theories co-designed for quantum simulation, enabling (ii) the construction of digital quantum algorithms tailored to “LGT-aware” hardware, and (iii) to analyze paradigmatic phenomena such as confinement using classical tensor network (TN) simulations which serve as benchmarks for quantum devices.
QS-Gauge is based on an unconventional generalization of the well-established Kogut-Susskind Hamiltonian formulation of LGTs, where the defining non-abelian Lie algebra is deformed to a quantum group. The resulting theories are related to string-net models employed for the classification of topological order in condensed matter which we will leverage to adapt TNs to HEP applications. As these truncated non-abelian LGTs are efficiently represented as multi-level systems, we pursue the development of quantum algorithms for qudits instead of qubits as elementary information carriers. In close collaboration with experimental colleagues and in synergy with the development of early fault-tolerant hardware, we focus on trapped-ion qudit quantum computers and fermionic alkaline-earth Rydberg atoms for optimized (fermion-)qudit architectures. Our results are expected to have far-reaching interdisciplinary impact and inform the development of future quantum devices, also for condensed matter physics, quantum chemistry and general quantum information processing.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
This project's classification has been human-validated.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics
- natural sciences physical sciences quantum physics quantum field theory
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware quantum computers
- natural sciences physical sciences quantum physics quantum optics
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
-
HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
6020 Innsbruck
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.