Direct Observation of Quantum Percolation Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper experimentally demonstrates quantum percolation in large-scale photonic lattices, revealing a higher percolation threshold and transition behaviors, advancing understanding of quantum transport in disordered systems.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental observation of quantum percolation dynamics in large-scale photonic structures, highlighting a higher percolation threshold and transport transition phenomena.

Findings

Quantum percolation threshold of 80% observed

Transition from ballistic to diffusive propagation demonstrated

Large-scale lattices with up to 1,600 waveguides used

Abstract

Percolation, describing critical behaviors of phase transition in a geometrical context, prompts wide investigations in natural and social networks as a fundamental model. The introduction of quantum-intrinsic interference and tunneling brings percolation into quantum regime with more fascinating phenomena and unique features, which, however, hasn't been experimentally explored yet. Here we present an experimental demonstration of quantum transport in hexagonal percolation lattices by successfully mapping such large-scale porous structures into a photonic chip using femtosecond laser direct writing techniques. A quantum percolation threshold of 80% is observed in the prototyped laser-written lattices with up to 1,600 waveguides, which is significantly larger than the classical counterpart of 63%. We also investigate the spatial confinement by localization parameters and exhibit the transition from ballistic to diffusive propagation with the decrease of the occupation probability. Direct observation of quantum percolation may deepen the understanding of the relation among materials, quantum transport, geometric quenching, disorder and localization, and inspire applications for quantum technologies.