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This research proposes a novel algorithm for Imaginary-Time Evolution by analytically continuing real-time correlation functions, addressing a significant challenge in quantum simulation where classical methods face sign problems. The study validates this approach through simulations and demonstrations on IBM quantum hardware using specific physical models like Fokker-Planck equations and quantum scattering. This work advances the utility of quantum computers for preparing eigenstates and solving complex Hamiltonian dynamics that are otherwise computationally prohibitive.
Imaginary time evolution of a quantum system through analytic continuation from real-time quantum simulation
arXiv:2608.19943v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Though quantum computing naturally offers an advantage for simulations of real-time quantum systems, implementing Imaginary-Time Evolution (ITE) is comparatively more difficult. Nevertheless, quantum implementations of ITE are useful both in cases where classical implementations have associated sign problems, and also as an exact method of preparing eigenstates on quantum computers. In this work we present an algorithm to obtain ITE of a generic quantum Hamiltonian by performing analytic continuation of measured real-time correlation functions. We present simulations and demonstrations on IBM quantum hardware of 1D Fokker-Planck equations for classical diffusion process and imaginary-time evolution of integrated correlation functions in 1D quantum mechanical scattering as examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Abstract:Though quantum computing naturally offers an advantage for simulations of real-time quantum systems, implementing Imaginary-Time Evolution (ITE) is comparatively more difficult. Nevertheless, quantum implementations of ITE are useful both in cases where classical implementations have associated sign problems, and also as an exact method of preparing eigenstates on quantum computers. In this work we present an algorithm to obtain ITE of a generic quantum Hamiltonian by performing analytic continuation of measured real-time correlation functions. We present simulations and demonstrations on IBM quantum hardware of 1D Fokker-Planck equations for classical diffusion process and imaginary-time evolution of integrated correlation functions in 1D quantum mechanical scattering as examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Quantum Physics (quant-ph); Other Condensed Matter (cond-mat.other); High Energy Physics - Lattice (hep-lat); High Energy Physics - Phenomenology (hep-ph); Nuclear Theory (nucl-th)
arXiv:2608.19943 [quant-ph]
(or arXiv:2608.19943v1 [quant-ph] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.19943 arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
Full text under the publisher's open licence · 149 words
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