Simulating quantum chaos on a quantum computer (2107.09809v2)

Abstract: We show that currently available noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) computers can be used for versatile quantum simulations of chaotic systems. We introduce a novel classical-quantum hybrid approachfor exploring the dynamics of the chaotic quantum kicked top (QKT) on a universal quantum computer. The programmability of this approach allows us to experimentally explore the complete range of QKT chaoticity parameter regimes inaccessible to previous studies. Furthermore, the number of gates in our simulation does not increase with the number of kicks, thus making it possible to study the QKT evolution for arbitrary number of kicks without fidelity loss. Using a publicly accessible NISQ computer (IBMQ), we observe periodicities in the evolution of the 2-qubit QKT, as well as signatures of chaos in the time-averaged 2-qubit entanglement. We also demonstrate a connection between entanglement and delocalization in the 2-qubit QKT, confirming theoretical predictions.