Qubit Regularization of Asymptotic Freedom

Abstract

We provide strong evidence that the asymptotically free (1+1)-dimensional nonlinear O(3) sigma model can be regularized using a quantum lattice Hamiltonian, referred to as the “Heisenberg comb,” that acts on a Hilbert space with only two qubits per spatial lattice site. The Heisenberg comb consists of a spin-half antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain coupled antiferromagnetically to a second local spin-half particle at every lattice site. Using a world-line Monte Carlo method, we show that the model reproduces the universal step-scaling function of the traditional model up to correlation lengths of 200000 in lattice units and argue how the continuum limit could emerge. We provide a quantum circuit description of the time evolution of the model and argue that near-term quantum computers may suffice to demonstrate asymptotic freedom.