Driven Discrete Time Quantum Walks

TL;DR

This paper introduces driven discrete time quantum walks where walkers are added during the process, leading to new interference effects and dynamic regimes, with applications in search algorithms and potential experimental realization.

Contribution

It presents the concept of driven quantum walks, analyzes their dynamics, demonstrates advantages in search applications, and discusses feasible experimental implementations.

Findings

Identifies two distinct dynamic regimes in driven quantum walks.

Shows the driven approach can improve search protocols without complex initial states.

Proposes a practical experimental setup using current technology.

Abstract

We introduce the driven discrete time quantum walk, where walkers are added during the walk instead of only at the beginning. This leads to interference in walker number and very different dynamics when compared to the original quantum walk. These dynamics have two regimes, which we illustrate using the one-dimensional line. Then, we explore a search application which has certain advantages over current search protocols, namely that it does not require a complicated initial state nor a specific measurement time to observe the marked state. Finally, we describe a potential experimental implementation using existing technology.