Quantum walks are processes that model dynamics in coherent systems. Their experimental implementations proved to be key to unveiling novel phenomena in Floquet topological insulators. Here, we realize a photonic quantum walk in the presence of a synthetic gauge field, which mimics the action of an electric field on a charged particle. By tuning the energy gaps between the two quasi-energy bands, we investigate intriguing system dynamics characterized by the interplay between Bloch oscillations and Landau-Zener transitions. When both gaps at quasi-energy values of 0 and π are vanishingly small, the Floquet dynamics follows a ballistic spreading.
Bloch-Landau-Zener dynamics induced by a synthetic field in a photonic quantum walk
Barboza R.;
2021-01-01
Abstract
Quantum walks are processes that model dynamics in coherent systems. Their experimental implementations proved to be key to unveiling novel phenomena in Floquet topological insulators. Here, we realize a photonic quantum walk in the presence of a synthetic gauge field, which mimics the action of an electric field on a charged particle. By tuning the energy gaps between the two quasi-energy bands, we investigate intriguing system dynamics characterized by the interplay between Bloch oscillations and Landau-Zener transitions. When both gaps at quasi-energy values of 0 and π are vanishingly small, the Floquet dynamics follows a ballistic spreading.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.