Quantum computing for high-energy physics: ground-state preparation of (2+1)D SU(2) lattice gauge theory
Poster presentation at Kent State Graduate Research Symposium (April 9, 2025).
Professional Summary
Hi, I am Sabin Thapa, a Physics PhD candidate at Kent State University (expected 2026). I work in theoretical and phenomenological high-energy nuclear physics, with a focus on quarkonium transport, suppression, and regeneration in QGP across RHIC and LHC systems.
My research uses semi-classical transport and open-quantum-system methods (including Lindblad evolution), supported by reproducible C++ and Python simulation pipelines. In parallel, I explore quantum computing for HEP (state preparation, adiabatic, and variational workflows for lattice gauge theory) and practical ML/AI support for scientific workflows.
Education
PhD in Physics (expected)
2019-08-01
2026-08-31
Kent State University
M.A. in Physics
2019-08-01
Kent State University
B.Sc. in Physics
2014-08-01
2018-08-31
Amrit Campus, Tribhuvan University
Interests
Quantum Computing and Quantum Simulation
Open Quantum Systems
High-Energy Nuclear Theory and Phenomenology
ML and AI for Physics
Profile Summary
Academic focus
I am a Physics PhD candidate at Kent State University (expected 2026), working in theoretical and phenomenological high-energy nuclear physics. My main research area is heavy-flavor physics, especially quarkonium transport, suppression, and regeneration in QGP across RHIC and LHC collision systems. I use both semi-classical transport modeling and open-quantum-system approaches (including Lindblad evolution), with collaborations connected to the HEFTY community.
Industry-oriented focus
I build reproducible scientific software and analysis workflows using Python, C++, Linux, Git, Slurm/HPC pipelines, and quantitative validation practices. I am also developing hands-on experience in quantum computing (Qiskit; state-prep and variational workflows) and learning ML/AI tools for scientific workflow acceleration.
Selected Publications
(2025).
Semiclassical treatment of bottomonium suppression and regeneration in p+Pb collisions.
arXiv.
(2024).
Bottomonium suppression in 5.02 and 8.16 TeV p--Pb collisions.
Phys. Rev. D.
(2023).
Bottomonium suppression at RHIC and LHC in an open quantum system approach.
Phys. Rev. D.
(2023).
Transverse momentum dependent feed-down fractions for bottomonium production.
Phys. Rev. D.
(2022).
QTRAJ 1.0: A Lindblad equation solver for heavy-quarkonium dynamics.
Comput. Phys. Commun..
Talks and Research Presentations
Bottomonium suppression in p--Pb collisions at LHC energies
Accepted oral talk at APS TGH Workshop during the APS March 2025 meeting.
Semi-classical treatment of bottomonium suppression in p--Pb collisions
Oral presentation at APS Global Physics Summit (March 18, 2025).
IPAM Winter School: Quantum Error Suppression, Mitigation, and Correction
Winter school participation focused on quantum error suppression, mitigation, and correction (February 3-5, 2025).
Bottomonium suppression in p+Pb collisions at LHC energies
Research talk at the Cold Nuclear Matter Effects workshop (January 13-16, 2025).
Bottomonium suppression and feed-down fractions
Contributed talks at the HEFTY Summer School and Collaboration Meeting (June 24-28, 2024).
Bottomonium suppression in p+Pb collisions at LHC energies
Research talk at Frontiers in Nuclear and Hadronic Physics (February 26 - March 8, 2024).
Documents