Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection

We consider a quantum walk where a detector repeatedly probes the system with fixed rate 1/τ until the walker is detected. This is a quantum version of the first-passage problem. We focus on the total probability P_{det} that the particle is eventually detected in some target state, for example, on...

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Main Authors: Felix Thiel, Itay Mualem, Dror Meidan, Eli Barkai, David A. Kessler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2020-10-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043107
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author Felix Thiel
Itay Mualem
Dror Meidan
Eli Barkai
David A. Kessler
author_facet Felix Thiel
Itay Mualem
Dror Meidan
Eli Barkai
David A. Kessler
author_sort Felix Thiel
collection DOAJ
description We consider a quantum walk where a detector repeatedly probes the system with fixed rate 1/τ until the walker is detected. This is a quantum version of the first-passage problem. We focus on the total probability P_{det} that the particle is eventually detected in some target state, for example, on a node r_{d} on a graph, after an arbitrary number of detection attempts. Analyzing the dark and bright states for finite graphs and more generally for systems with a discrete spectrum, we provide an explicit formula for P_{det} in terms of the energy eigenstates which is generically τ independent. We find that disorder in the underlying Hamiltonian renders perfect detection, P_{det}=1, and then expose the role of symmetry with respect to suboptimal detection. Specifically, we give a simple upper bound for P_{det} that is controlled by the number of equivalent (with respect to the detection) states in the system. We also extend our results to infinite systems, for example, the detection probability of a quantum walk on a line, which is τ dependent and less than half, well below Polya's optimal detection for a classical random walk.
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spelling doaj.art-d54b6c77125644c2baf79a2a437a6e3f2024-04-12T17:02:45ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642020-10-012404310710.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043107Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detectionFelix ThielItay MualemDror MeidanEli BarkaiDavid A. KesslerWe consider a quantum walk where a detector repeatedly probes the system with fixed rate 1/τ until the walker is detected. This is a quantum version of the first-passage problem. We focus on the total probability P_{det} that the particle is eventually detected in some target state, for example, on a node r_{d} on a graph, after an arbitrary number of detection attempts. Analyzing the dark and bright states for finite graphs and more generally for systems with a discrete spectrum, we provide an explicit formula for P_{det} in terms of the energy eigenstates which is generically τ independent. We find that disorder in the underlying Hamiltonian renders perfect detection, P_{det}=1, and then expose the role of symmetry with respect to suboptimal detection. Specifically, we give a simple upper bound for P_{det} that is controlled by the number of equivalent (with respect to the detection) states in the system. We also extend our results to infinite systems, for example, the detection probability of a quantum walk on a line, which is τ dependent and less than half, well below Polya's optimal detection for a classical random walk.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043107
spellingShingle Felix Thiel
Itay Mualem
Dror Meidan
Eli Barkai
David A. Kessler
Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection
Physical Review Research
title Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection
title_full Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection
title_fullStr Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection
title_full_unstemmed Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection
title_short Dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection
title_sort dark states of quantum search cause imperfect detection
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.043107
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