Quantum simulation of nonequilibrium dynamics of gauge theories for nuclear physics

The universe has evolved from a far-from-equilibrium state at the Big Bang. High-energy particle colliders stride to recreate such nonequilibrium conditions in experiment, to reach densities and temperatures necessary for generating some of the most short-lived states of matter, and to unravel equilibration and hadronization mechanisms. Theoretical studies of matter out of equilibrium, rooted in the fundamental gauge theories of nature, often require simulations that are intractable with classical computing. Quantum simulators have started to probe out-of-equilibrium physics of quantum many-body systems in recent years. They have further shown promise in probing gauge-theory dynamics, and continue to grow in scale, complexity, and relevance. We review recent theoretical and experimental developments at this frontier, with a focus on gauge-theory nonequilibrium phenomena such as string breaking and particle production, hadron-collision dynamics, thermalization, and dynamical quantum phase transitions.