Realization of quantum walks with negligible decoherence in waveguide lattices

Perets, H.B., Lahini, Y., Pozzi, F., Sorel, M. , Morandotti, R. and Silberberg, Y. (2008) Realization of quantum walks with negligible decoherence in waveguide lattices. Physical Review Letters, 100(17), p. 170506. (doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.170506)

Abstract

Quantum random walks are the quantum counterpart of classical random walks, and were recently studied in the context of quantum computation. Physical implementations of quantum walks have only been made in very small scale systems severely limited by decoherence. Here we show that the propagation of photons in waveguide lattices, which have been studied extensively in recent years, are essentially an implementation of quantum walks. Since waveguide lattices are easily constructed at large scales and display negligible decoherence, they can serve as an ideal and versatile experimental playground for the study of quantum walks and quantum algorithms. We experimentally observe quantum walks in large systems (similar to 100 sites) and confirm quantum walks effects which were studied theoretically, including ballistic propagation, disorder, and boundary related effects.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Diffusion, localization, photonic lattices, propagation, solitons, system, systems
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sorel, Professor Marc
• Authors: Perets, H.B., Lahini, Y., Pozzi, F., Sorel, M., Morandotti, R., and Silberberg, Y.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Physical Review Letters
• Journal Abbr.: Phys. Rev. Lett.
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• ISSN: 0031-9007
• ISSN (Online): 1079-7114