Theoretical physicist Torsten Zache has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant for his research into quantum simulations of lattice gauge theories. He aims to help overcome limitations in the numerical investigation of gauge theories. Gauge theories play a central role in understanding phenomena in high-energy physics, condensed matter physics, and quantum information science.
The European Research Council (ERC) supports pioneering research by outstanding scientists in Europe. ERC Starting Grants provide successful young researchers with generous project budgets. Quantum physicist Torsten Zache has been awarded the prestigious grant for his research into quantum simulations of lattice gauge theories. He will conduct the ERC project at the Department of Theoretical Physics at the University of Innsbruck and at the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Innsbruck.
Gauge theories are a cornerstone of modern physics, but numerical simulation of these models often reaches its limits. Zache's project addresses this issue and uses recent advances in the control of synthetic quantum systems to overcome these limitations. “We want to formulate a class of regularized gauge theories that are specifically designed for quantum simulations,” explains the physicist. “And on this basis, we will then develop digital quantum algorithms for suitable hardware.” Furthermore, the scientist wants to use classical tensor network simulations to analyze some paradigmatic phenomena such as confinement, which serve as a benchmark for quantum simulators.
Working closely with colleagues in experimental physics, Torsten Zache also aims to develop algorithms for qudit-based quantum computers in this project. These multi-level quantum systems enable efficient representation of truncated non-abelian gauge theories. In particular, he will be focusing on quantum computers with trapped ions and Rydberg atoms. Advances could further drive the development of future quantum technologies for applications in solid-state physics, quantum chemistry, and quantum information processing.
Torsten Victor Zache, born in Berlin in 1992, studied physics in Heidelberg, where he also earned his doctorate. Since 2020, he has been conducting research in the working groups of Peter Zoller and Hannes Pichler at the University of Innsbruck and IQOQI Innsbruck. With the ERC Starting Grant, he will now establish his own research group.