Hadronic spin-dependent Generalized Parton Distribution Functions via Quantum Computers

Testing detailed predictions of QCD and searching for phenomena at the LHC requires knowing spin dependent Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) for quarks and gluons. PDFs contain non-perturbative information about the longitudinal momentum distribution inside of a hadron. For some observables Generalized Parton Distribution Functions (GPDs) are needed, which contain both longitudinal and transverse momentum distributions. Calculating these distributions from QCD, ab initio, is prohibitively resource intensive and depends on non-perturbative techniques. Quantum simulation of quantum field theories offers a new way to investigate properties of the fundamental constituents of matter. By simulating 2 + 1D QCD in two different quantization schemes on a quantum simulator, we generate spin-dependent PDFs and GPDs. We do this for two particular models: A pion and a quark-(scalar) diquark baryon.