Real-time scattering dynamics in (1+1)D QED: from tensor networks to quantum circuits

We study the real time dynamics of high-energy particle collisions in the massive Schwinger model, a relativistic quantum field theory describing quantum electrodynamics (QED) in (1+1)D. We use infinite-matrix-product-states allowing the construction of proper wavepackets of quasiparticles, as well as the determination of the particle content of the post-collision state. We focus on two regimes near the confinement-deconfinment phase transition which give rise to qualitatively different interactions between charges: repulsive short-range, and confining long-range. Those regimes give rise to different scattering behaviour, allowing to probe different phenomena such as inelastic particle pair production, string breaking, and recombination. We also propose an analog implementation of the model using superconducting quantum circuits. The bosonized version of the model can be realized with a simple circuit and minimal ingredients, paving the way towards analog quantum simulation of (1+1)D quantum field theories beyond what is possible classically.