Recurrence properties of unbiased coined quantum walks on infinite d -dimensional lattices

Abstract

The P\'olya number characterizes the recurrence of a random walk. We apply the generalization of this concept to quantum walks [M. \ifmmode \check{S}\else \v{S}\fi{}tefa\ifmmode \check{n}\else \v{n}\fi{}\'ak et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 020501 (2008)] which is based on a specific measurement scheme. The P\'olya number of a quantum walk depends, in general, on the choice of the coin and the initial coin state, in contrast to classical random walks where the lattice dimension uniquely determines it. We analyze several examples to depict the variety of possible recurrence properties. First, we show that for the class of quantum walks driven by Hadamard tensor-product coins, the P\'olya number is independent of the initial conditions and the actual coin operators, thus resembling the property of the classical walks. We provide an estimation of the P\'olya number for this class of quantum walks. Second, we examine the two-dimensional Grover walk, which exhibits localization and thus is recurrent, except for a particular initial state for which the walk is transient. We generalize the Grover walk to show that one can construct in arbitrary dimensions a quantum walk which is recurrent. This is in great contrast with classical walks which are recurrent only for the dimensions $d=1,2$. Finally, we analyze the recurrence of the 2D Fourier walk. This quantum walk is recurrent except for a two-dimensional subspace of the initial states. We provide an estimation of the P\'olya number in its dependence on the initial state.