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Chinese Physics B

Exceptional points and quantum dynamics in a non-Hermitian two-qubit system

Yi-Xi 益玺 Zhang 张, Zhen-Tao 振涛 Zhang 张, Zhen-Shan 震山 Yang 杨, Xiao-Zhi 晓志 Wei 魏, Bao‐Long Liang

Published Feb 19, 2024• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We study the exceptional-point (EP) structure and the associated quantum dynamics in a system consisting of a non-Hermitian qubit and a Hermitian qubit. We find that the system possesses two sets of EPs, which divide the system-parameter space into P T -symmetry unbroken, partially broken and fully broken regimes, each with distinct quantum-dynamics characteristics. Particularly, in the partially broken regime, while the P T -symmetry is generally broken in the whole four-dimensional Hilbert space, it is preserved in a two-dimensional subspace such that the quantum dynamics in the subspace are similar to those in the P T -symmetry unbroken regime. In addition, we reveal that the competition between the inter-qubit coupling and the intra-qubit driving gives rise to a complex pattern in the EP variation with system parameters.

DOI
10.1088/1674-1056/ad2a70

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We study the exceptional-point (EP) structure and the associated quantum dynamics in a system consisting of a non-Hermitian qubit and a Hermitian qubit. We find that the system possesses two sets of EPs, which divide the system-parameter space into P T -symmetry unbroken, partially broken and fully broken regimes, each with distinct quantum-dynamics characteristics. Particularly, in the partially broken regime, while the P T -symmetry is generally broken in the whole four-dimensional Hilbert space, it is preserved in a two-dimensional subspace such that the quantum dynamics in the subspace are similar to those in the P T -symmetry unbroken regime. In addition, we reveal that the competition between the inter-qubit coupling and the intra-qubit driving gives rise to a complex pattern in the EP variation with system parameters.
Non-Hermitian systems with parity-time (PT\mathcal{PT}PT) symmetry give rise to exceptional points (EPs) with exceptional properties that arise due to the coalescence of eigenvectors. Such systems have been extensively explored in the classical domain, where second- or higher-order EPs have been proposed or realized. In contrast, quantum information studies of PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetric systems have been confined to systems with a two-dimensional Hilbert space. Here, by using a single-photon interferometry setup, we simulate the quantum dynamics of a four-dimensional PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetric system across a fourth-order exceptional point. By tracking the coherent, nonunitary evolution of the density matrix of the system in PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetry unbroken and broken regions, we observe the entropy dynamics for both the entire system, and the gain and loss subsystems. Our setup is scalable to the higher-dimensional PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetric systems, and our results point towards the rich dynamics and critical properties.
As a most important feature of non-Hermitian systems, exceptional points (EPs) lead to a variety of unconventional phenomena and applications. Here, we study a generic model composed of two coupled non-Hermitian qubits; the EPs can be easily obtained in this system by adjusting the driving amplitude applied to the qubits. The diverse entanglement dynamics on the two sides of the original fourth-order EP ($\mathrm{EP}{4}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) and second-order EP (EP2) can be observed simultaneously in the weak coupling regime. With the increase of the coupling strength, the $\mathrm{EP}{4}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ is replaced by an additional EP2, leading to the disappearance of the entanglement dynamics change induced by $\mathrm{EP}{4}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ in the strong coupling regime. Considering the case of Ising-type interaction, we also realize EP-induced entanglement dynamics changing without the driving field. Our study paves the way for the investigation of EP-induced quantum effects and applications of EP-related quantum technologies.
Abstract Exceptional points (EPs) occur in non-Hermitian systems where eigenvalues and eigenvectors coalesce. In open quantum systems, EPs are typically studied via non-Hermitian effective Hamiltonians or Liouvillians, but these omit the full generality of quantum dynamics, which requires description using quantum channels. Here, we introduce a general strategy for generating quantum-channel EPs in the single-qubit setting. We show that quantum channels naturally fall into two distinct phases, purely real or complex-conjugate eigenvalues, without the need of enforcing additional symmetries, and interpolating between different phases induces a phase transition where EPs can emerge. We experimentally simulate such channels on a nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computer, observing second-order quantum-channel EPs with 93% fidelity, and extend the approach to three channels to uncover exceptional lines and a third-order quantum-channel EP. Our results promise potential applications from enhanced quantum sensing to quantum control, such as Jordan-chain mediated asymmetric conversion.
Open quantum systems can be approximately described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians (NHHs) and Liouvillian superoperators. The two approaches differ by quantum jump terms corresponding to a measurement of the system by its environment. We analyze the emergence of exceptional points (EPs) in NHHs and Liouvillian superoperators. In particular, we show how EPs in NHHs relate to a novel type of EPs -- multi-block EPs -- in the no-jump Liouvillian, i.e. the Liouvillian superoperator in absence of quantum jump terms. We further analyze how quantum jump terms modify the multi-block structure. To illustrate our general findings, we present two prime examples: qubits and qutrits coupled to additional ground state levels that serve as sinks of the population. In those examples, we can navigate through the EP block structure by a variation of physical parameters. We analyze how the dynamics of the population of the states is affected by the order of the EPs. Additionally, we demonstrate that the quantum geometric tensor serves as a sensitive indicator of EPs of different kinds.
Exceptional points (EPs) occur in non-Hermitian systems where eigenvalues and eigenvectors coalesce. In open quantum systems, EPs are typically studied via non-Hermitian effective Hamiltonians or Liouvillians, but these omit the full generality of quantum dynamics, which requires description using quantum channels. Here, we introduce a general strategy for generating quantum-channel EPs in the single-qubit setting. We show that quantum channels naturally fall into two distinct phases, purely real or complex-conjugate eigenvalues, without the need of enforcing additional symmetries, and interpolating between different phases induces a phase transition where EPs can emerge. We experimentally simulate such channels on a nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computer, observing second-order quantum-channel EPs with 93% fidelity, and extend the approach to three channels to uncover exceptional lines and a third-order quantum-channel EP. Our results promise potential applications from enhanced quantum sensing to quantum control, such as Jordan-chain mediated asymmetric conversion.
PT\mathcal{PT}PT-Symmetric Spin--Boson Model with a Continuous Bosonic Spectrum: Exceptional Points and Dynamics
This work studies a PT\mathcal{PT}PT-symmetric non-Hermitian spin--boson model, consisting of a non-Hermitian two-level system coupled to a continuous bosonic bath. The static properties of the system are analyzed through a projection method derived from the displacement operator. We find that only a single exceptional point (EP) emerges, in contrast to non-Hermitian spin--boson models with finite modes, which typically exhibit multiple EPs. Notably, only a single real eigenvalue is found before the EP, which differs markedly from typical non-Hermitian systems where a pair of real eigenvalues precedes the EP. The time evolution of observables is further investigated via the Dirac--Frenkel time-dependent variational principle. Compared to its Hermitian counterpart, the non-Hermitian model exhibits distinct dynamical signatures, most notably the emergence of oscillations with periodic amplified amplitude. In the PT\mathcal{PT}PT-unbroken phase, the system exhibits sustained oscillatory dynamics with suppressed decoherence, whereas in the PT\mathcal{PT}PT-broken phase, additional dissipative channels accelerate decoherence and drive rapid convergence toward a stable steady state. These results shed light on how PT\mathcal{PT}PT symmetry protects coherent light--matter interactions in non-Hermitian quantum systems.