Quantum simulation of topologically protected states using directionally unbiased linear-optical multiports
Files
Accepted manuscript
Date
2017-07-31
Authors
Simon, David S.
Fitzpatrick, Casey A.
Sergienko, Alexander V.
Osawa, Shuto
Version
OA Version
Citation
David S. Simon, Casey A. Fitzpatrick, Shuto Osawa, Alexander V. Sergienko. 2017. "Quantum simulation of topologically protected states using directionally unbiased linear-optical multiports." PHYSICAL REVIEW A, Volume 96, Issue 1, pp. ? - ? (8).
Abstract
It is shown that quantum walks on one-dimensional arrays of special linear-optical units allow the simulation of discrete-time Hamiltonian systems with distinct topological phases. In particular, a slightly modified version of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) system can be simulated, which exhibits states of nonzero winding number and has topologically protected boundary states. In the large-system limit this approach uses quadratically fewer resources to carry out quantum simulations than previous linear-optical approaches and can be readily generalized to higher-dimensional systems. The basic optical units that implement this simulation consist of combinations of optical multiports that allow photons to reverse direction.