Year: 2017
Type: article
Abstract: The topology of a single-particle band structure plays a fundamental role in understanding a multitude of physical phenomena. Motivated by the connection between quantum walks and such topological band structures, we demonstrate that a simple time-dependent, Bloch-oscillating quantum walk enables the direct measurement of topological invariants. We consider two classes of one-dimensional quantum walks and connect the global phase imprinted on the walker with its refocusing behavior. By disentangling the dynamical and geometric contributions to this phase, we describe a general strategy to measure the topological invariant in these quantum walks. As an example, we propose an experimental protocol in a circuit QED architecture where a superconducting transmon qubit plays the role of the coin, while the quantum walk takes place in the phase space of a cavity.
Source: Physical Review Letters
Institutions: University of California, Berkeley, University of Copenhagen
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, Adolph C. and Mary Sprague Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science, University of California Berkeley, Villum Fonden, Seventh Framework Programme, Research Executive Agency, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Army Research Office
OpenAlex ID: W2529776492