Discrete-time quantum walks are among the branches of quantum information and computation. They are platforms for developing quantum algorithms for quantum computers. In addition, due to their universal primitive nature, discrete-time quantum walks have been used to simulate other quantum systems and phenomena that are observed in physics and chemistry. To fully utilize the potentials that the discrete-time quantum walks hold in their applications, control over the discrete-time quantum walks and their properties becomes essential. In this dissertation, we propose two models for attaining a high level of control over the discrete-time quantum walks. In the first one, we incorporate a dynamical nature for the unitary operator performing the quantum walks. This enables us to readily control the properties of the walker and produce diverse behaviors for it. We show that with our proposal, the important properties of the discrete-time quantum walks such as variance would indeed improve. To explore the potential of this proposal, we apply it in the simulations of topological phases in condensed matter physics. With our proposal, we can control the simulations and determine the type of topological phenomena that should be simulated. In addition, we confirm simulations of topological phases and boundary states that can be observed in one-, two- and three-dimensional systems. Finally, we report the emergence of exotic phase structures in form of cell-like structures that contain all types of topological phases and boundary states of certain classes. In our second proposal, we take advantage of resources available in quantum mechanics, namely quantum entanglement and entangled qubits. In this proposal, we use entangled qubits in the structure of a quantum walk and show that by tuning the initial entanglement between these qubits and how these qubits are modified through the walk, one is able to produce diverse behaviors for the quantum walk and control its behavior.
Discrete-time quantum walks are among the branches of quantum information and computation. They are platforms for developing quantum algorithms for quantum computers. In addition, due to their universal primitive nature, discrete-time quantum walks have been used to simulate other quantum systems and phenomena that are observed in physics and chemistry. To fully utilize the potentials that the discrete-time quantum walks hold in their applications, control over the discrete-time quantum walks and their properties becomes essential. In this dissertation, we propose two models for attaining a high level of control over the discrete-time quantum walks. In the first one, we incorporate a dynamical nature for the unitary operator performing the quantum walks. This enables us to readily control the properties of the walker and produce diverse behaviors for it. We show that with our proposal, the important properties of the discrete-time quantum walks such as variance would indeed improve. To explore the potential of this proposal, we apply it in the simulations of topological phases in condensed matter physics. With our proposal, we can control the simulations and determine the type of topological phenomena that should be simulated. In addition, we confirm simulations of topological phases and boundary states that can be observed in one-, two- and three-dimensional systems. Finally, we report the emergence of exotic phase structures in form of cell-like structures that contain all types of topological phases and boundary states of certain classes. In our second proposal, we take advantage of resources available in quantum mechanics, namely quantum entanglement and entangled qubits. In this proposal, we use entangled qubits in the structure of a quantum walk and show that by tuning the initial entanglement between these qubits and how these qubits are modified through the walk, one is able to produce diverse behaviors for the quantum walk and control its behavior.
This dissertation presents investigations on dynamics of discrete-time quantum walk and some of its applications. Quantum walks has been exploited as an useful tool for quantum algorithms in quantum computing. Beyond quantum computational purposes, it has been used to explain and control the dynamics in various physical systems. In order to use the quantum walk to its fullest potential, it is important to know and optimize the properties purely due to quantum dynamics and in presence of noise. Various studies of its dynamics in the absence and presence of noise have been reported. We propose new approaches to optimize the dynamics, discuss symmetries and effect of noise on the quantum walk. Making use of its properties, we propose the use of quantum walk as an efficient new tool for various applications in physical systems and quantum information processing. In the first and second part of this dissertation, we discuss evolution process of the quantum walks, propose and demonstrate the optimization of discrete-time quantum walk using quantum coin operation from SU(2) group and discuss some of its properties. We investigate symmetry operations and environmental effects on dynamics of the walk on a line and an n-cycle highlighting the interplay between noise and topology. Using the properties and behavior of quantum walk discussed in part two, in part three we propose the application of quantum walk to realize quantum phase transition in optical lattice, that is to efficiently control and redistribute ultracold atoms in optical lattice. We also discuss the implementation scheme. Another application we consider is creation of spatial entanglement using quantum walk on a quantum many body system.
This dissertation presents investigations on dynamics of discrete-time quantum walk and some of its applications. Quantum walks has been exploited as an useful tool for quantum algorithms in quantum computing. Beyond quantum computational purposes, it has been used to explain and control the dynamics in various physical systems. In order to use the quantum walk to its fullest potential, it is important to know and optimize the properties purely due to quantum dynamics and in presence of noise. Various studies of its dynamics in the absence and presence of noise have been reported. We propose new approaches to optimize the dynamics, discuss symmetries and effect of noise on the quantum walk. Making use of its properties, we propose the use of quantum walk as an efficient new tool for various applications in physical systems and quantum information processing. \n \nIn the first and second part of this dissertation, we discuss evolution process of the quantum walks, propose and demonstrate the optimization of discrete-time quantum walk using quantum coin operation from SU(2) group and discuss some of its properties. \n \nWe investigate symmetry operations and environmental effects on dynamics of the walk on a line and an n−cycle highlighting the interplay between noise and topology. \n \nUsing the properties and behavior of quantum walk discussed in part two, in part three we propose the application of quantum walk to realize quantum phase transition in optical lattice, that is to efficiently control and redistribute ultracold atoms in optical lattice. We also discuss the implementation scheme. Another application we consider is creation of spatial entanglement using quantum walk on a quantum many body system.
Discrete-time quantum walks (QWs) represent robust and versatile platforms for the controlled engineering of single particle quantum dynamics, and have attracted special attention due to their algorithmic applications in quantum information science. Even in their simplest 1D architectures, they display complex topological phenomena, which can be employed in the systematic study of topological quantum phase transitions [1]. Due to the exponential scaling in the number of resources required, most experimental realizations of QWs to date have been limited to single particles, with only a few implementations involving correlated quantum pairs. In this paper we study applications of QWs in the controlled dynamical engineering of entanglement in bipartite bosonic systems. We show that QWs can be employed in the transition from mode entanglement, where indistinguishability of the quantum particles plays a key role, to the standard type of entanglement associated with distinguishable particles. We also show that by carefully tailoring the steps in the QWs, as well as the initial state for the quantum walker, it is possible to preserve the entanglement content by topological protection. The underlying mechanism that allows for the possibility of both entanglement engineering and entanglement protection is the strong ‘spin–orbit’ coupling induced by the QW. We anticipate that the results reported here can be employed for the controlled emulation of quantum correlations in topological phases.
Quantum computation is a new computational paradigm which can provide fundamentally faster computation than in the classical regime. This is dependent on finding efficient quantum algorithms for problems of practical interest. One of the most successful tools in developing new quantum algorithms is the quantum walk. In this thesis, we explore two applications of the discrete time quantum walk. In addition, we introduce an experimental scheme for generating cluster states, a universal resource for quantum computation. We give an explicit construction which provides a link between the circuit model of quantum computation, and a graph structure on which the discrete time quantum walk traverses, performing the same computation. We implement a universal gate set, proving the discrete time quantum walk is universal for quantum computation, thus confirming any quantum algorithm can be recast as a quantum walk algorithm. In addition, we study factors affecting the efficiency of the quantum walk search algorithm. Although there is a strong dependence on the spatial dimension of the structure being searched, we find secondary dependencies on other factors including the connectivity and disorder (symmetry). Fairly intuitively, as the connectivity increases, the efficiency of the algorithm increases, as the walker can coalesce on the marked state with higher probability in a quicker time. In addition, we find as disorder in the system increases, the algorithm can maintain the quantum speed up for a certain level of disorder before gradually reverting to the classical run time. Finally, we give an abstract scheme for generating cluster states. We see a linear scaling, better than many schemes, as doubling the size of the generating grid in our scheme produces a cluster state which is double the depth. Our scheme is able to create other interesting topologies of entangled states, including the unit cell for topological error correcting schemes.
Quantum magic, which accounts for the nonstabilizer content of a state, is essential for universal quantum computation beyond classically simulable resources. However, the way magic builds up during structured unitary dynamics remains largely open. Here, we investigate the generation and evolution of quantum magic in discrete-time quantum walks (DTQWs)—a simple, tunable unitary model realizable on a wide range of architectures. We use stabilizer Rényi entropy as a measure of quantum magic and investigate single- and two-walker quantum walks on a one-dimensional lattice, considering a wide range of initial coin states. Our results reveal that DTQWs can dynamically generate significant magic, with the amount and structure dependent on the initial state of the coin. In the case of a single walker, we found a nontrivial and complementary relationship between magic and entanglement at long times. In the two-walker setting, even states close to stabilizer form can evolve into highly magical states when subjected to quantum walk protocols. The generation of magic can occur independently of entanglement growth, emphasizing its distinct role as a quantum resource. We further show that the dynamical magic generation is robust under realistic noise—specifically, decoherence in the coin degree of freedom—demonstrating that this process persists across noisy settings. Finally, we discuss an experimentally feasible scheme to measure magic using current technology. Our findings position DTQWs as accessible and controllable platforms for producing quantum magic, offering a fresh perspective on their role in quantum information processing and reliable quantum computation.
Controlling quantum states of light is of central importance to many fields of modern physics. The technology to do so underpins the only feasible means for long-distance quantum communication using quantum-key-distribution, and plays a pivotal role in the application of quantum computing, quantum metrology and investigations of fundamental physics. Motivated by these applications, in this thesis we present a number of experimental results that demonstrate an enhanced level of control over photonic states. First, we tackle one of the most important technological issues currently facing the field, namely the creation of pure multi-photon Fock states from pulsed parametric downconversion. Our technique shows a marked improvement over previous photon sources when employed for quantum information tasks. At a more foundational level, we experimentally examine the properties of quantum correlations in the temporal domain, where our results highlight surprising differences between its spatial-domain counterpart of multipartite entanglement. Finally, we experimentally implement single- and multi-photon quantum walks in the discrete- and continuous-time regimes respectively. Quantum walks have received much attention in recent years due to their vast applicability in quantum information science, especially for quantum simulation and emulation. On this front we use the quantum walk formalism to perform a full experimental simulation of topological phases in a 1-dimensional configuration. Aside from being the first demonstration of topological phases in this regime, our system exhibits unprecedented control over the topological properties in a quantum system. As such we are able to observe the exotic behaviour of trapped bound states, and discover the new phenomenon of paired bound states—a feature unique to periodically driven systems.