Quantum simulation of hadron production in deep inelastic scattering

by Wenyang Qian (Central China Normal University)

Thursday 3 Sept 2026, 13:30 → 15:30 Europe/Zurich

42/3-032 (CERN)

We develop a quantum simulation framework for meson production in deep inelastic scattering based on light-front QCD Hamiltonian dynamics. A quark-antiquark dipole is evolved in real time through the color field of a nuclear target described by the McLerran-Venugopalan model, using a Trotterized unitary evolution implemented on a digital quantum circuit. We compute transverse momentum broadening, total and elastic dipole cross sections, $J/\psi$ meson production, and the nuclear modification factor $R_A$ as functions of the light-front time, photon virtuality $Q^2$, and nuclear target size. Classical simulations for proton and gold targets show good agreement with analytical eikonal predictions across a broad range of parameters. Full quantum simulation is demonstrated on a quantum circuit emulator with a smaller lattice size, with results consistent with the classical benchmark. This work establishes a first-principles, amplitude-level pathway toward computing exclusive and semi-inclusive hadron production in deep inelastic scattering, directly relevant to the physics program of the Electron-Ion Collider.

2026.09.03_CERN.pdf