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arXiv:2408.09578 · Physical Review A

Two-dimensional quantum central limit theorem by quantum walks

Keisuke Asahara, Daiju Funakawa, Motoki Seki, Akito Suzuki

Published Feb 2, 2026• 1 citation

Abstract

The weak limit theorem (WLT), the quantum analog of the central limit theorem, is foundational to quantum walk (QW) theory. Unlike the universal Gaussian limit of classical walks, deriving analytical forms of the limiting probability density function (PDF) in higher dimensions has remained a challenge since the one-dimensional (1D) Konno distribution was established. Previous explicit PDFs for two-dimensional (2D) models were limited to specific cases whose fundamental nature was unclear. This paper resolves this long-standing gap by introducing the notion of maximal speed v max as a critical parameter. We demonstrate that all previous 2D solutions correspond to a degenerate regime where v max = 1 . We then present the first exact analytical representation of the limiting PDF for the physically richer, unexplored regime v max < 1 of a general class of 2D two-state QWs. Our result reveals 2D Konno functions that govern these dynamics. We establish these as the proper 2D generalization of the 1D Konno distribution by demonstrating their convergence to the 1D form in the appropriate limit. Furthermore, our derivation, based on spectral analysis of the group-velocity map, analytically resolves the singular asymptotic structure: we explicitly determine the caustics loci where the PDF diverges and prove they define the boundaries of the distribution's support. By also providing a closed-form expression for the weight functions, this work offers a complete description of the 2D WLT.

DOI: 10.1103/fs8d-h2z8

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One-parameter family of discrete-time quantum-walk models on the square lattice, which includes the Grover-walk model as a special case, is analytically studied. Convergence in the long-time limit $t\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$ of all joint moments of two components of walker's pseudovelocity,

{X}_{t}/t

and

{Y}_{t}/t

, is proved and the probability density of limit distribution is derived. Dependence of the two-dimensional limit density function on the parameter of quantum coin and initial four-component qudit of quantum walker is determined. Symmetry of limit distribution on a plane and localization around the origin are completely controlled. Comparison with numerical results of direct computer simulations is also shown.

Open Quantum Random Walks, as developed in \cite{APSS}, are a quantum generalization of Markov chains on finite graphs or on lattices. These random walks are typically quantum in their behavior, step by step, but they seem to show up a rather classical asymptotic behavior, as opposed to the quantum random walks usually considered in Quantum Information Theory (such as the well-known Hadamard random walk). Typically, in the case of Open Quantum Random Walks on lattices, their distribution seems to always converge to a Gaussian distribution or a mixture of Gaussian distributions. In the case of nearest neighbors homogeneous Open Quantum Random Walks on $\ZZ^d$ we prove such a Central Limit Theorem, in the case where only one Gaussian distribution appears in the limit. Through the quantum trajectory point of view on quantum master equations, we transform the problem into studying a certain functional of a Markov chain on $\ZZ^d$ times the Banach space of quantum states. The main difficulty is that we know nothing about the invariant measures of this Markov chain, even their existence. Surprisingly enough, we are able to produce a Central Limit Theorem with explicit drift and explicit covariance matrix. The interesting point which appears with our construction and result is that it applies actually to a wider setup: it provides a Central Limit Theorem for the sequence of recordings of the quantum trajectories associated to any completely positive map. This is what we show and develop as an application of our result. In a second step we are able to extend our Central Limit Theorem to the case of several asymptotic Gaussians, in the case where the operator coefficients of the quantum walk are block-diagonal in a common basis.

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