Mass gaps of Z₃ gauge theory with three flavors in 1+1 dimensions

We consider a Z_3 gauge theory coupled to three degenerate massive flavors which we term `QZD'. The low-energy spectrum can be computed efficiently in 1+1 dimensions using tensor networks by exploiting charge and SU(3) flavor symmetry. We analyze the full coupling regime in terms of lowest energy excitations based on flavor (mesons) and particle (baryons) excitations. Our results demonstrate non-trivial scaling behavior towards the continuum limit. As a toy model this offers benchmarks that may be useful for simulating lattice gauge theories on quantum simulators such as ultracold gases or quantum circuits.