13–16 Jul 2026
Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Campus
Europe/London timezone

Simulating quantum field theories with continuous-variable quantum computers

13 Jul 2026, 10:30
30m
Maths Lecture Theatre

Maths Lecture Theatre

Building number 4 on the campus map
Invited Talk Talks

Speaker

Simon Jonathan Williams (Institute of Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham)

Description

Non-perturbative real-time processes such as scattering and false-vacuum decay play a central role in quantum field theory, but remain challenging to simulate classically due to their highly entangled dynamics. We introduce a continuous-variable quantum computing framework for simulating interacting scalar field theories by mapping the spatially discretised theory to a lattice of qumodes. We emulate this framework using tensor networks, representing each qumode by a truncated bosonic Hilbert space and evolving the system with TEBD and Trotterised time evolution.
As applications, we study real-time scattering in (1+1)-dimensional $\phi^4$ theory, including the preparation of momentum-defined initial states and validation against analytic two-point correlators. We also simulate false-vacuum decay in a self-interacting scalar field theory, preparing a metastable vacuum and tracking the subsequent formation and growth of true-vacuum bubbles. These results establish qumode tensor networks as a scalable route to non-equilibrium scalar QFT dynamics and a useful bridge towards future CVQC implementations.

Author

Simon Jonathan Williams (Institute of Particle Physics Phenomenology, University of Durham)

Presentation materials