Error Mitigation Techniques for Simulating SU(2) and SU(3) Lattice Gauge Theories on a Quantum Computer

Lattice Gauge Theory (LGT) is an area of research in which quantum computing has the potential to make calculations possible that cannot otherwise be done using classical computers. In this noisy era of small-scale quantum computers, mitigating errors is essential for obtaining meaningful results. Recent developments in error mitigation techniques have allowed for quantum simulations of LGT to be completed. In this talk, the results from simulating SU(2) LGT, for varying lattice lengths, on IBM's quantum computers will be discussed. Multiple error mitigation techniques were used, including a simple yet extremely effective method we developed termed self-mitigation. It involves estimating the noise of the quantum circuit by performing a separate run both forward and backward in time. Using this technique, we were able to observe an excitation travelling across the lattice and achieve meaningful results for hundreds of CNOT gates. A variation of this technique was then applied to simulate SU(3) LGT on IBM's quantum computers for one site and one flavor. The results and error mitigation techniques used for this simulation will be discussed.