title: Matrix product states for gauge field theories.
abstract: The matrix product state formalism is used to simulate Hamiltonian lattice gauge theories. To this end, we define matrix product state manifolds which are manifestly gauge invariant. As an application, we study (1+1)-dimensional one flavor quantum electrodynamics, also known as the massive Schwinger model, and are able to determine very accurately the ground-state properties and elementary one-particle excitations in the continuum limit. In particular, a novel particle excitation in the form of a heavy vector boson is uncovered, compatible with the strong coupling expansion in the continuum. We also study full quantum nonequilibrium dynamics by simulating the real-time evolution of the system induced by a quench in the form of a uniform background electric field.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Boye
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buyens
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jutho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haegeman
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Van Acoleyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Henri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Verschelde
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S9, 9000 Gent, Belgium and Vienna Center for Quantum Science and Technology, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Boltzmanngasse 5, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Verstraete