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Optica

Experimental realization of wave-packet dynamics in cyclic quantum walks

Farshad Nejadsattari, Yingwen Zhang, Frédéric Bouchard, Hugo Larocque, Alicia Sit, Eliahu Cohen, Robert Fickler, Ebrahim Karimi

Published Feb 7, 2019• 20 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum walks present novel tools for redesigning quantum algorithms, universal quantum computations, and quantum simulators. Hitherto, one- and two-dimensional quantum systems (lattices) have been simulated and studied with photonic systems. Here, we report the photonic simulation of cyclic quantum systems, such as hexagonal structures. We experimentally explore the wavefunction dynamics and probability distribution of a quantum particle located on a six-site system, along with three- and four-site systems while under different initial conditions. Various quantum walk systems employing Hadamard, C-NOT, and Pauli-Z gates are experimentally simulated, where we find configurations capable of simulating particle transport and probability density localization. Our technique can potentially be integrated into small-scale structures using microfabrication, and thus would open a venue towards simulating more complicated quantum systems comprised of cyclic structures.

DOI
10.1364/optica.6.000174

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arXiv:2007.06554•Jul 13, 2020•1 citation
Quantum walks present novel tools for redesigning quantum algorithms, universal quantum computations, and quantum simulators. Hitherto, one- and two-dimensional quantum systems (lattices) have been simulated and studied with photonic systems. Here, we report the photonic simulation of cyclic quantum systems, such as hexagonal structures. We experimentally explore the wavefunction dynamics and probability distribution of a quantum particle located on a six-site system, along with three- and four-site systems while under different initial conditions. Various quantum walk systems employing Hadamard, C-NOT, and Pauli-Z gates are experimentally simulated, where we find configurations capable of simulating particle transport and probability density localization. Our technique can potentially be integrated into small-scale structures using microfabrication, and thus would open a venue towards simulating more complicated quantum systems comprised of cyclic structures.
Quantum walks serve as novel tools for performing efficient quantum computation and simulation. In a recent experimental demonstration [1] we have realized photonic quantum walks for simulating cyclic quantum systems, such as hexagonal lattices or aromatic molecules like benzene. In that experiment we explored the wave function dynamics and the probability distribution of a quantum particle located on a six-site system (with periodic boundary conditions), alongside with simpler demonstration of three- and four-site systems, under various initial conditions. Localization and revival of the wave function were demonstrated. After revisiting that experiment we will theoretically analyze the case of noisy quantum walks by implementing the bit-phase flip channel. This will allow us to draw conclusions regarding the performance of our photonic quantum simulation in noisy environments. Finally, we will briefly outline some future directions.
Quantum Optics A quantum walk is the quantum mechanical analog of a classical random walk, describing the propagation of quantum walkers (photons) through an optical circuit. Because quantum walks generate large-scale quantum superposed states, they can be used for simulating many-body quantum systems and the development of algorithms for quantum computation. Nejadsattari et al. describe the photonic simulation with cyclic quantum systems. Using a multiple-site optical system, they explored the wave function dynamics and the probability distribution of quantum walkers as they loop through the system from site to site. With the ability to simulate a variety of different quantum operations and gates, they claim that the versatility of the approach should allow the study of more complex many-body systems. Optica 6 , 174 (2019).
Quantum walks are the quantum mechanical analog to classical random walks. However, due to the wavelike nature of quantum particles, they reveal drastically different dynamics compared to their classical counterpart. These unique properties make quantum walks a new promising platform for quantum algorithms and a powerful tool to understand complex transport phenomena. This thesis presents three experiments specifically designed to send photons on a quantum walk. The experiments are based on a fiber network spreading the photonic wave packets over discrete time bins. With these Quantum Walks in Time we simulate the propagation of quantum particles in various different environments, revealing diverse dynamics such as a fast ballistic spread and an Anderson-like localization effect. Furthermore we use our concept to implement the first quantum walk on a two-dimensional lattice. The underlying topology allows for investigations of the intriguing dynamics of two strongly interacting quantum particles, which reveals unique effects such as the creation of bound states.
Quantum walks in an elaborately designed graph are a powerful tool for simulating physical and topological phenomena, constructing novel quantum algorithms, and realizing universal quantum computing. Integrated photonics technology has emerged as a versatile platform for implementing a variety of quantum information tasks and as a promising candidate for performing large-scale quantum walks. Both extending physical dimensions and involving more particles will increase the complexity of the evolving systems. Pioneering studies have demonstrated a single particle walking on two-dimensional lattices and multiple walkers interfering on a one-dimensional structure. However, multiple particles evolving in a genuine two-dimensional space in a scalable fashion has remained a vacancy for nearly 10 years. We present a genuine two-dimensional quantum walk with correlated photons on a triangular photonic lattice, which is mapped to a 37 × 37 high-dimensional state space. The genuine two-dimensional quantum walk breaks through the physical restrictions of single-particle evolution, allowing for the encoding of information in large spaces and construction of high-dimensional graphs, which are beneficial for quantum information processing. Between the chip and the two-dimensional fanout interface, site-by-site addressing enables simultaneous detection of over 600 nonclassical interferences and observation of quantum correlations that violate a classical limit by 57 standard deviations. Our implementation provides a paradigm for multi-photon quantum walks in a two-dimensional configuration on a large scale, paving the way for practical quantum simulation and computation beyond the classical regime.
Abstract Over the last 20 years quantum walks (QWs) have gained increasing interest in the field of quantum information science and processing. In contrast to classical walkers, quantum objects exhibit intrinsic properties like non-locality and non-classical many-particle correlations, which renders QWs a versatile tool for quantum simulation and computation as well as for a deeper understanding of genuine quantum mechanics. Since they are highly controllable and hardly interact with their environment, photons seem to be ideally suited quantum walkers. In order to study and exploit photonic QWs, lattice structures that allow low loss coherent evolution of quantum states are demanded. Such requirements are perfectly met by integrated optical waveguide devices that additionally allow a substantial miniaturization of experimental settings. Moreover, by utilizing the femtosecond direct laser writing technique three-dimensional waveguide structures are capable of analyzing QWs also on higher dimensional geometries. In this context, advances and findings of photonic QWs are discussed in this review. Various concepts and experimental results are presented covering, such as different quantum transport regimes, the Boson sampling problem, and the discrete fractional quantum Fourier transform.
Quantum walks in an elaborately designed graph, is a powerful tool simulating physical and topological phenomena, constructing analog quantum algorithms and realizing universal quantum computing. Integrated photonics technology has emerged as a versatile platform to implement various quantum information tasks and a promising candidate to perform large-scale quantum walks. Both extending physical dimensions and involving more particles will increase the complexity of the evolving systems and the desired quantum resources. Pioneer works have demonstrated single particle walking on two-dimensional (2D) lattices and multiple walkers interfering on a one-dimensional structure. However, 2D multi-particle quantum walk, genuinely being not classically simulatable, has been a vacancy for nearly ten years. Here, we present a genuine 2D quantum walk with correlated photons on a triangular photonic lattice, which can be mapped to a state space up to 37X37 dimensions. This breaks through the physically restriction of single-particle evolution, which can encode information in a large space and constitute high-dimensional graphs indeed beneficial to quantum information processing. A site-by-site addressing between the chip facet and the 2D fanout interface enables an observation of over 600 non-classical interferences simultaneously, violating a classical limit up to 57 standard deviations. Our platform offers a promising prospect for multi-photon quantum walks in a large-scale 2D arrangement, paving the way for practical quantum simulation and quantum computation beyond classical regime.