Multistate transition dynamics by strong time-dependent perturbation in NISQ era

Abstract

Abstract We develop a quantum computing scheme utilizing McLachlan variational principle in a hybrid quantum–classical algorithm to accurately calculate the transition dynamics of a closed quantum system with many excited states subject to a strong time-dependent perturbation. A systematic approach for optimal construction of a general N-state ansatz with unary N-qubit encoding is refined. We also use qubit efficient encoding in McLachlan variational quantum algorithm to reduce the number of qubits to log 2 N , simultaneously diminishing depths of the quantum circuits. The significant reduction of the number of time steps is achieved by use of the second order marching method. Instrumental in obtaining high accuracy are adaptations of the circuits to include time-dependent global phase correction. We illustrated, tested and optimized our quantum computing algorithm on a set of 16 bound hydrogenic eigenstates exposed to a strong laser attosecond pulse. Results for transition probabilities are obtained with accuracy better than 1%, as established by comparison to the benchmark data. Use of interaction representation of the Hamiltonian reduces the noise accumulation while the quantum system evolves in time.