Simulation of the multiphase configuration and phase transitions with quantum walks utilizing a step-dependent coin
Abstract
Quantum walks are versatile simulators of topological phases and phase transitions as observed in condensed-matter physics. Here, we utilize a step-dependent coin in quantum walks and investigate what topological phases we can simulate with it, their topological invariants, bound states, and possibility of phase transitions. These quantum walks simulate nontrivial phases characterized by topological invariants (winding number) ±1 , which are similar to the ones observed in topological insulators and polyacetylene. We confirm that the number of phases and their corresponding bound states increase step dependently. In contrast, the size of topological phase and distance between two bound states are decreasing functions of steps resulting into formation of multiple phases as quantum walks proceed (multiphase configuration). We show that, in the bound states, the winding number and group velocity are ill defined and the second moment of the probability density distribution in position space undergoes an abrupt change. Therefore, there are phase transitions taking place over the bound states and between two topological phases with different winding numbers.
- Publication:
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Physical Review A
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevA.100.062115
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1910.02949
- Bibcode:
- 2019PhRvA.100f2115P
- Keywords:
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- Quantum Physics
- E-Print:
- 9 pages, 4 figures