In this paper, we investigate zero transfer on mixed graphs. Zero transfer is a quantum walk phenomenon in which the transition amplitude between two vertices is identically zero for all times, so that no quantum state transfer occurs between them. Using the Hermitian adjacency matrix, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for zero transfer in mixed graphs. We then specialize these criteria to oriented circulant graphs, obtaining nonexistence results for prime order, structural restrictions for even order, and exhaustive computational classifications for small orders.
In this paper, we investigate zero transfer on mixed graphs. Zero transfer is a quantum walk phenomenon in which the transition amplitude between two vertices is identically zero for all times, so that no quantum state transfer occurs between them. Using the Hermitian adjacency matrix, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for zero transfer in mixed graphs. We then specialize these criteria to oriented circulant graphs, obtaining nonexistence results for prime order, structural restrictions for even order, and exhaustive computational classifications for small orders.
The continuous-time quantum walk on an oriented circulant graph is determined by the Fourier eigenvalues of its Hermitian adjacency matrix. We classify perfect state transfer (PST) between distinct vertices in every nonempty oriented circulant graph. We show that each such graph is described by an odd primitive quadratic Dirichlet character of conductor Δ, a set of gcd-classes, and a choice between the two orientations of each selected class. For a graph of order n, we derive an explicit formula for every Fourier eigenvalue without assuming that n/Δ is coprime to Δ. We prove that PST occurs only for Δ∈{3,4,8} and give necessary and sufficient conditions on the connection set for each conductor. Equivalently, the square-free radicands of oriented circulant graphs with PST are exactly 1, 2, and 3. More generally, when λj=Dηj with ηj∈Z, congruences satisfied by the integers ηj determine all PST pairs and times, the minimum period, and the largest vertex sets supporting multiple state transfer (MST). In this class, pretty good state transfer is equivalent to PST. We also determine the connected orders and enumerate the resulting graphs.
Given a graph with Hermitian adjacency matrix H, perfect state transfer occurs from vertex a to vertex b if the (b,a)-entry of the unitary matrix exp(−iHt) has unit magnitude for some time t. This phenomenon is relevant for information transmission in quantum spin networks and is known to be monogamous under real symmetric matrices. We prove the following results: 1. For oriented graphs (whose nonzero weights are ±i), the oriented 3-cycle and the oriented edge are the only graphs where perfect state transfer occurs between every pair of vertices. This settles a conjecture of Cameron et al. On the other hand, we construct an infinite family of oriented graphs with perfect state transfer between any pair of vertices on a subset of size four. 2. There are infinite families of Hermitian graphs with one-way perfect state transfer, where perfect state transfer occurs without periodicity. In contrast, perfect state transfer implies periodicity whenever the adjacency matrix has algebraic entries (as shown by Godsil). 3. There are infinite families with non-monogamous pretty good state transfer in rooted graph products. In particular, we generalize known results on double stars (due to Fan and Godsil) and on paths with loops (due to Kempton, Lippner and Yau). The latter extends the experimental observation of quantum transport (made by Zimborás et al.) and shows non-monogamous pretty good state transfer can occur amongst distant vertices.
A continuous-time quantum walk on a graph is a matrix-valued function exp(−iAt) over the reals, where A is the adjacency matrix of the graph. Such a quantum walk has universal perfect state transfer if for all vertices u,v, there is a time where the (v,u) entry of the matrix exponential has unit magnitude. We prove new characterizations of graphs with universal perfect state transfer. This extends results of Cameron et al. (Linear Algebra and Its Applications, 455:115-142, 2014). Also, we construct non-circulant families of graphs with universal perfect state transfer. All prior known constructions were circulants. Moreover, we prove that if a circulant, whose order is prime, prime squared, or a power of two, has universal perfect state transfer then its underlying graph must be complete. This is nearly tight since there are universal perfect state transfer circulants with non-prime-power order where some edges are missing.
Mixed graphs, which generalize both undirected and directed graphs, provide a natural framework for investigating a broader class of quantum transport phenomena, including perfect state transfer (PST) and multiple state transfer (MST). The Hermitian adjacency matrix, incorporating both symmetric and asymmetric edge structures, establishes a unified spectral framework that reveals quantum phenomena absent in undirected graphs. In this paper, we study PST and MST on mixed graphs using the Hermitian adjacency matrix, extending results from undirected graphs and focusing on phenomena such as periodicity, one-way PST, two-way PST, and MST. Additionally, we present novel results that contribute to a deeper understanding of quantum state transfer in mixed graphs.
A continuous quantum walk on a graph X with adjacency matrix A is specified by the 1-parameter family of unitary matrices U(t)=exp(itA). These matrices act on the state space of a quantum system, the states of which we may represent by density matrices, positive semidefinite matrices with rows and columns indexed by V(X) and with trace 1. The square of the absolute values of the entries of a column of U(t) define a probability density on V(X), and it is precisely these densities that predict the outcomes of measurements. There are two special cases of physical interest: when the column density is supported on a vertex, and when it is uniform. In the first case we have perfect state transfer; in the second, uniform mixing. There are many results concerning state transfer and uniform mixing. In this paper we show that these results on perfect state transfer hold largely because at the time it occurs, the density matrix is real. We also show that the results on uniform mixing obtained so far hold because the entries of the density matrix are algebraic numbers. As a consequence of these we derive strong restrictions on the occurence of uniform mixing on bipartite graphs and on oriented graphs.
Let X be a graph, A its adjacency matrix, and t a non-negative real number. The matrix exp(i t A) determines the evolution in time of a certain quantum system defined on the graph. It represents a continuous-time quantum walk in X. We say that X admits perfect state transfer from a vertex u to a vertex v if there is a time t such that \n| exp(i t A)_(u,v) | = 1. \n \nThe main problem we study in this thesis is that of determining which simple graphs admit perfect state transfer. For some classes of graphs the problem is solved. For example, a path on n vertices admits perfect state transfer if and only if n=2 or n=3. However, the general problem of determining all graphs that admit perfect state transfer is substantially hard. \n \nIn this thesis, we focus on some special cases. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a distance-regular graph to admit perfect state transfer. In particular, we provide a detailed account of which distance-regular graphs of diameter three do so. \n \nA graph is said to be spectrally extremal if the number of distinct eigenvalues is equal to the diameter plus one. Distance-regular graphs are examples of such graphs. We study perfect state transfer in spectrally extremal graphs and explore rich connections to the topic of orthogonal polynomials. We characterize perfect state transfer in such graphs. \n \nWe also provide a general framework in which perfect state transfer in graph products can be studied. We use this to determine when direct products and double covers of graphs admit perfect state transfer. As a consequence, we provide many new examples of simple graphs admitting perfect state transfer. We also provide some advances in the understanding of perfect state transfer in Cayley graphs for the groups (Z_2)^d and Z_n. \n \nFinally, we consider the problem of determining which trees admit perfect state transfer. We show more generally that, except for the path on two vertices, if a connected bipartite graph contains a unique perfect matching, then it cannot admit perfect state transfer. We also consider this problem in the context of another model of quantum walks determined by the matrix exp(i t L), where L is the Laplacian matrix of the graph. In particular, we show that no tree on an odd number of vertices admits perfect state transfer according to this model.