Quantum Walks in Time
Andreas Schreiber · OPUS FAU (Kooperativer Bibliotheksverbund Berlin-Brandenburg (KOBV), on behalf of the Universitätsbibliothek Erlangen-Nürnberg) · 2014
Quantum walks are the quantum mechanical analog to classical random walks. However, due to the wavelike nature of quantum particles, they reveal drastically different dynamics compared to their classical counterpart. These unique properties make quantum walks a new promising platform for quantum algorithms and a powerful tool to understand complex transport phenomena. This thesis presents three experiments specifically designed to send photons on a quantum walk. The experiments are based on a fiber network spreading the photonic wave packets over discrete time bins. With these Quantum Walks in Time we simulate the propagation of quantum particles in various different environments, revealing diverse dynamics such as a fast ballistic spread and an Anderson-like localization effect. Furthermore we use our concept to implement the first quantum walk on a two-dimensional lattice. The underlying topology allows for investigations of the intriguing dynamics of two strongly interacting quantum particles, which reveals unique effects such as the creation of bound states.