Scattering theory and quantum walks
Mark S. Hillery, Edgar Feldman · arXiv (Cornell University) · 2003
We study quantum walks on general graphs from the point of view of scattering theory. For a general finite graph we choose two vertices and attach one half line to each. We are interested in walks that proceed from one half line, through the graph, to the other. The particle propagates freely on the half lines but is scattered at each vertex in the original graph. The probability of starting on one line and reaching the other after n steps can be expressed in terms of the transmission amplitude for the graph. An example is presented. Classical random walks on graphs can be used to construct algorithms that solve 2-SAT, graph connectivity problems, and for finding satsifying assignments for Boolean functions. A hope is that recently defined quantum walks will prove similarly useful in the development of quantum algorithms. In fact, it has recently been shown that it is possible to use a quantum walk to perform a search on the hypercube faster than can be done classically [1]. In this problem