The evolution of a walker in standard "Discrete-time Quantum Walk (DTQW)" is determined by coin and shift unitary operators. The conditional shift operator shifts the position of the walker to right or left by unit step size while the direction of motion is specified by the coin operator. This scenario can be generalized by choosing the step size randomly at each step in some specific interval. For example, the value of the roll of a dice can be used to specify the step size after throwing the coin. Let us call such a quantum walk "Discrete-time Random Step Quantum Walk (DTRSQW)". A completely random probability distribution is obtained whenever the walker follows the DTRSQW. We have also analyzed two more types of quantum walks, the "Discrete-time Un-biased Quantum Walk (DTUBQW)" and the "Discrete-time Biased Quantum Walk (DTBQW)". In the first type, the step size is kept different than unit size but the same for left and right shifts, whereas in the second type left and right shifts can also be different. The probability distribution in DTUBQW is found to follow a certain rule. The standard deviation ($σ$) of DTRSQW is higher than DTQW and hence DTRSQW spreads faster. The $σ$ of DTUBQW shows sawtooth behavior with faster spread than DTQW for some specific values of rotation angles and steps.
The concept of $\e$-randomizing quantum channels has been introduced by Hayden, Leung, Shor and Winter in connection with approximately encrypting quantum states. They proved using a discretization argument that sets of roughly $d \log d$ random unitary operators provide examples of such channels on $\C^d$. We show that a simple trick improves the efficiency of the argument and reduces the number of unitary operators to roughly $d$.
We show that a multi-step quantum walk can be realized for a single trapped ion with interpolation between quantum and random walk achieved by randomizing the generalized Hadamard coin flip phase. The signature of the quantum walk is manifested not only in the ion's position but also its phonon number, which makes an ion trap implementation of the quantum walk feasible.
We investigate how a classical private key can be used by two players, connected by an insecure one-way quantum channel, to perform private communication of quantum information. In particular we show that in order to transmit n qubits privately, 2n bits of shared private key are necessary and sufficient. This result may be viewed as the quantum analogue of the classical one-time pad encryption scheme. From the point of view of the eavesdropper, this encryption process can be seen as a randomization of the original state. We thus also obtain strict bounds on the amount of entropy necessary for …
In this paper, we formularize a method for randomizing quantum states with respect to the Schatten $p$-norm ($p\ge1$). Our theorem includes the Lemma 2.2 of Hayden and Winter [Commun. Math. Phys. {\bf 284}, 263--280 (2008)] for the norm case of $p>1$. We exploit the methods of a net construction on the unit sphere and McDiard's inequality in probability theory, and then we prove certain general cases (all $p$) of randomization tool for quantum states, which includes the operator norm and trace norm simultaneously in a single statement.
The construction of a perfectly secure private quantum channel in dimension d is known to require 2 log d shared random key bits between the sender and receiver. We show that if only near-perfect security is required, the size of the key can be reduced by a factor of two. More specifically, we show that there exists a set of roughly d log d unitary operators whose average effect on every input pure state is almost perfectly randomizing, as compared to the d^2 operators required to randomize perfectly. Aside from the private quantum channel, variations of this construction can be applied to man…
This thesis includes a survey of the results known for private and approximate private quantum channels. We develop the best known upper bound for $ε$-randomizing maps, $n+2\log(1/ε)+c$ bits required to $ε$-randomize an arbitrary $n$-qubit state by improving a scheme of Ambainis and Smith \cite{AS04} based on small bias spaces \cite{NN90, AGHP92}. We show by a probabilistic argument that in fact the great majority of random schemes using slightly more than this many bits of key are also $ε$-randomizing. We provide the first known non-trivial lower bound for $ε$-randomizing maps, and develop se…
Quantum simulation, the simulation of quantum processes on quantum computers, suggests a path forward for the efficient simulation of problems in condensed-matter physics, quantum chemistry, and materials science. While the majority of quantum simulation algorithms are deterministic, a recent surge of ideas has shown that randomization can greatly benefit algorithmic performance. In this work, we introduce a scheme for quantum simulation that unites the advantages of randomized compiling on the one hand and higher-order multi-product formulas, as they are used for example in linear-combination…
This paper suggests an improvement to the BB84 scheme in Quantum key distribution. The original scheme has its weakness in letting quantifiably more information gain to an eavesdropper during public announcement of unencrypted bases lists. The security of the secret key comes at the expense of the final key length. We aim at exploiting the randomness of preparation (measurement) basis and the bit values encoded (observed), so as to randomize the bases lists before they are communicated over the public channel. A proof of security is given for our scheme and proven that our protocol results in …
Randomization of quantum states is the quantum analogue of the classical one-time pad. We present an improved, efficient construction of an approximately randomizing map that uses O(d/epsilon^2) Pauli operators to map any d-dimensional state to a state that is within trace distance epsilon of the completely mixed state. Our bound is a log d factor smaller than that of Hayden, Leung, Shor, and Winter (2004), and Ambainis and Smith (2004). Then, we show that a random sequence of essentially the same number of unitary operators, chosen from an appropriate set, with high probability form an approx…
We present an idea to convert to a unitary quantum walk any open quantum walk which is defined on lattices as well as on finite graphs. This approach generalizes to the domain of open quantum walks (or quantum Markov chains) the framework introduced by Szegedy for quantizing Markov chains. For the unitary quantum walks formulated in this article, we define the probability and the mean probability of finding the walk at a node, then derive the asymptotic mean probability.
We show how multi-walker quantum walks can be implemented in a quantum quincunx created via cavity quantum electrodynamics. The implementation of a quantum walk with a multi-walker opens up the interesting possibility to introduce entanglement and more advanced walks. With different coin tosses and initial states the multi-walker quantum walk shows different probability distributions which deviate strongly from the classical random walks with quadratic enhanced spreadings and localization effects. By introducing decoherence, the transition from quantum walks to the classical versions is observ…
We introduce the quantum stochastic walk (QSW), which determines the evolution of generalized quantum mechanical walk on a graph that obeys a quantum stochastic equation of motion. Using an axiomatic approach, we specify the rules for all possible quantum, classical and quantum-stochastic transitions from a vertex as defined by its connectivity. We show how the family of possible QSWs encompasses both the classical random walk (CRW) and the quantum walk (QW) as special cases, but also includes more general probability distributions. As an example, we study the QSW on a line, the QW to CRW tran…
Lazy quantum walks were presented by Andrew M. Childs to prove that the continuous-time quantum walk is a limit of the discrete-time quantum walk [Commun.Math.Phys.294,581-603(2010)]. In this paper, we discuss properties of lazy quantum walks. Our analysis shows that lazy quantum walks have $O(t^n)$ order of the n-th moment of the corresponding probability distribution, which is the same as that for normal quantum walks. Also, the lazy quantum walk with DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) coin operator has a similar probability distribution concentrated interval to that of the normal Hadamard qua…
Quantum walks have emerged as an interesting candidate for the implementation of quantum information processing protocols. Optical implementations of quantum walks have been demonstrated by various groups and some have received high-profile coverage. It is often claimed that quantum walks provide an avenue towards universal quantum computation. In this comment I wish to dispel some misconceptions surrounding the prospects of quantum walks as a route towards universal optical quantum computation.
We show that with the addition of multiple walkers, quantum walks on a line can be transformed into lattice graphs of higher dimension. Thus, multi-walker walks can simulate single-walker walks on higher dimensional graphs and vice versa. This exponential complexity opens up new applications for present-day quantum walk experiments. We discuss the applications of such higher-dimensional structures and how they relate to linear optics quantum computing. In particular we show that multi-walker quantum walks are equivalent to the BosonSampling model for linear optics quantum computation proposed …
In this paper, we introduce a quantum walk whose local scattering at each vertex is denoted by a unitary circulant matrix; namely the circulant quantum walk. We also introduce another quantum walk induced by the circulant quantum walk; namely the optical quantum walk, whose underlying graph is a $2$-regular directed graph and obtained by blowing up the original graph in some way. We propose a design of an optical circuit which implements the stationary state of the optical quantum walk. We show that if the induced optical quantum walk does not have $+1$ eigenvalue, then the stationary state of…
We show that quantum walks interpolate between a coherent `wave walk' and a random walk depending on how strongly the walker's coin state is measured; i.e., the quantum walk exhibits the quintessentially quantum property of complementarity, which is manifested as a trade-off between knowledge of which path the walker takes vs the sharpness of the interference pattern. A physical implementation of a quantum walk (the quantum quincunx) should thus have an identifiable walker and the capacity to demonstrate the interpolation between wave walk and random walk depending on the strength of measureme…
The physics of quantum walks on graphs is formulated in Hamiltonian language, both for simple quantum walks and for composite walks, where extra discrete degrees of freedom live at each node of the graph. It is shown how to map between quantum walk Hamiltonians and Hamiltonians for qubit systems and quantum circuits; this is done for both a single- and multi-excitation coding, and for more general mappings. Specific examples of spin chains, as well as static and dynamic systems of qubits, are mapped to quantum walks, and walks on hyperlattices and hypercubes are mapped to various gate systems.…
Quantum walks can be used either as tools for quantum algorithm development or as entanglement generators, potentially useful to test quantum hardware. We present a novel algorithm based on a discrete Hadamard quantum walk on a line with one coin and two walkers whose purpose is to generate entanglement between walkers. We provide several classical computer simulations of our quantum algorithm in which we show that, although the asymptotical amount of entanglement generated between walkers does not reach the highest degree of entanglement possible at each step for either coin measurement outco…
A simple coined quantum walk in one dimension can be characterized by a $SU(2)$ operator with three parameters which represents the coin toss. However, different such coin toss operators lead to equivalent dynamics of the quantum walker. In this manuscript we present the unitary equivalence classes of quantum walks and show that all the nonequivalent quantum walks can be distinguished by a single parameter. Moreover, we argue that the electric quantum walks are equivalent to quantum walks with time dependent coin toss operator.
We give a short overview over recent developments on quantum graphs and outline the connection between general quantum graphs and so-called quantum random walks.
We analyze the recurrence probability (Pólya number) for d-dimensional unbiased quantum walks. A sufficient condition for a quantum walk to be recurrent is derived. As a by-product we find a simple criterion for localisation of quantum walks. In contrast to classical walks, where the Pólya number is characteristic for the given dimension, the recurrence probability of a quantum walk depends in general on the topology of the walk, choice of the coin and the initial state. This allows to change the character of the quantum walk from recurrent to transient by altering the initial state.
A quantum walk is a time-homogeneous quantum-mechanical process on a graph defined by analogy to classical random walk. The quantum walker is a particle that moves from a given vertex to adjacent vertices in quantum superposition. Here we consider a generalization of quantum walk to systems with more than one walker. A continuous-time multi-particle quantum walk is generated by a time-independent Hamiltonian with a term corresponding to a single-particle quantum walk for each particle, along with an interaction term. Multi-particle quantum walk includes a broad class of interacting many-body s…
A quantum central limit theorem for a continuous-time quantum walk on a homogeneous tree is derived from quantum probability theory. As a consequence, a new type of limit theorems for another continuous-time walk introduced by the walk is presented. The limit density is similar to that given by a continuous-time quantum walk on the one-dimensional lattice.
The quantum random walk is a possible approach to construct new quantum algorithms. Several groups have investigated the quantum random walk and experimental schemes were proposed. In this paper we present the experimental implementation of the quantum random walk algorithm on a nuclear magnetic resonance quantum computer. We observe that the quantum walk is in sharp contrast to its classical counterpart. In particular, the properties of the quantum walk strongly depends on the quantum entanglement.
In this work we introduce the concept of a quantum walk on a hypergraph. We show that the staggered quantum walk model is a special case of a quantum walk on a hypergraph.
We consider quantum random walks on congested lattices and contrast them to classical random walks. Congestion is modelled with lattices that contain static defects which reverse the walker's direction. We implement a dephasing process after each step which allows us to smoothly interpolate between classical and quantum random walkers as well as study the effect of dephasing on the quantum walk. Our key results show that a quantum walker escapes a finite boundary dramatically faster than a classical walker and that this advantage remains in the presence of heavily congested lattices. Also, we …
Quantum walks exhibit many unique characteristics compared to classical random walks. In the classical setting, self-avoiding random walks have been studied as a variation on the usual classical random walk. Classical self-avoiding random walks have found numerous applications, most notably in the modeling of protein folding. We consider the analogous problem in the quantum setting. We complement a quantum walk with a memory register that records where the walker has previously resided. The walker is then able to avoid returning back to previously visited sites. We parameterise the strength of…
Through introducing controlled alternative quantum walks, we present controlled alternate quantum walks (CAQW) based quantum hash function. CAQW based quantum hash function have excellent security, outstanding statistical performance and splendid expansibility. Furthermore, due to the structure of alternative quantum walks, implementing CAQW based quantum hash function significantly reduces the resources necessary for its feasible experimental realization than implementing other quantum hash functions. Besides, CAQW based quantum hash function has expansibility.
We identify a key difference between quantum search by discrete- and continuous-time quantum walks: a discrete-time walk typically performs one walk step per oracle query, whereas a continuous-time walk can effectively perform multiple walk steps per query while only counting query time. As a result, we show that continuous-time quantum walks can outperform their discrete-time counterparts, even though both achieve quadratic speedups over their corresponding classical random walks. To provide greater equity, we allow the discrete-time quantum walk to also take multiple walk steps per oracle qu…
Inspired by recent breakthroughs with topological quantum materials, which pave the way to novel, high-efficiency, low-energy magnetoelectric devices and fault-tolerant quantum information processing, inter alia, topological quantum walks have emerged as an exciting topic in its own right, especially due to the theoretical and experimental simplifications this approach offers. Motivated by impressive progress in topological quantum walks, we provide a perspective on theoretical studies and experimental investigations of topological quantum walks focusing on current explorations of topological …
Recurrence in the classical random walk is well known and described by the Pólya number. For quantum walks, recurrence is similarly understood in terms of the probability of a localized quantum walker to return to its origin. Under certain circumstances the quantum walker may also return to an arbitrary initial quantum state in a finite number of steps. Quantum state revivals in quantum walks on circles using coin operators which are constant in time and uniform across the path have been described before but only incompletely. In this paper we find the general conditions for which full-quantum…
The extremely fascinating behaviors of the quantum walks of particles, which differ much from the classical counterparts, have attracted many physicists. Here we investigate another interesting part of the quantum walks, that is the quantum walks of waves. Firstly, we show the behaviors of the quantum walks of plane wave, which are largely different from the counterparts of either the classical or the quantum walks of particles. Two situations - with and without intermediate time measurements of the walks are considered. At last, it is shown that the quantum walks of plane wave can be used to …
We advance the previous studies of quantum walks on the line with two coins. Such four-state quantum walks driven by a three-direction shift operator may have nonzero stationary distributions (localization), thus distinguishing themselves from the quantum walks on the line in the basic scenario (i.e., driven by a single coin). In this work, asymptotic position distributions of the quantum walks are examined. We derive a weak limit for the quantum walks and explicit formulas of stationary probability distribution, whose dependencies on the coin parameter and the initial state of quantum walks a…
We realize a pair of simultaneous ten-step one-dimensional quantum walks with two walkers sharing coins, which we prove is analogous to the ten-step two-dimensional quantum walk with a single walker holding a four-dimensional coin. Our experiment demonstrates a ten-step quantum walk over an 11x11 two-dimensional lattice with a line defect, thereby realizing a localized walker state.
Quantum walks are recognizably useful for the development of new quantum algorithms, as well as for the investigation of several physical phenomena in quantum systems. Actual implementations of quantum walks face technological difficulties similar to the ones for quantum computers, though. Therefore, there is a strong motivation to develop new quantum-walk models which might be easier to implement. In this work, we present an extension of the staggered quantum walk model that is fitted for physical implementations in terms of time-independent Hamiltonians. We demonstrate that this class of qua…
In this paper we investigate one dimensional quantum walks with two-step memory, which can be viewed as an extension of quantum walks with one-step memory. We develop a general formula for the amplitudes of the two-step-memory walk with Hadamard coin by using path integral approach, and numerically simulate its process. The simulation shows that the probability distribution of this new walk is different from that of the Hadamard quantum walk with one-step memory, while it presents some similarities with that of the normal Hadamard quantum walk without memory.
Quantum walks have emerged as an interesting alternative to the usual circuit model for quantum computing. While still universal for quantum computing, the quantum walk model has very different physical requirements, which lends itself more naturally to some physical implementations, such as linear optics. Numerous authors have considered walks with one or two walkers, on one dimensional graphs, and several experimental demonstrations have been performed. In this paper we discuss generalizing the model of discrete time quantum walks to the case of an arbitrary number of walkers acting on arbit…
There are presently two models for quantum walks on graphs. The "coined" walk uses discrete time steps, and contains, besides the particle making the walk, a second quantum system, the coin, that determines the direction in which the particle will move. The continuous walk operates with continuous time. Here a third model for a quantum walk is proposed, which is based on an analogy to optical interferometers. It is a discrete-time model, and the unitary operator that advances the walk one step depends only on the local structure of the graph on which the walk is taking place. No quantum coin i…
Full state revivals in a quantum walk can be viewed as returning of the walker to the initial quantum state in a periodic fashion during the propagation of the walk. In this paper we show that for any given number of spatial dimensions, a coin operator can be constructed to generate a quantum walk having full revivals with any desired period. From the point of view of quantum computation and simulations, these coin operators can be useful in implementing quantum walks which oscillate between any two states with a finite periodicity.
We characterize quantumness of the so-called quantum walks (whose dynamics is governed by quantum mechanics) by introducing two computable measures which are stronger than the variance of the walker's position probability distribution. The first measure is based on comparing probability distributions of a quantum walk and all classical random walks (through the classical relative entropy of the distributions), and it quantifies non-Gaussianity of the probability distribution of the walk. Next, after assigning a density matrix to classical walks, we introduce a more powerful measure by employin…
In this paper, we investigate continuous-time quantum walk on star graphs. It is shown that quantum central limit theorem for a continuous-time quantum walk on star graphs for $N$-fold star power graph, which are invariant under the quantum component of adjacency matrix, converges to continuous-time quantum walk on $K_2$ graphs (Complete graph with two vertices) and the probability of observing walk tends to the uniform distribution.
Quantum walk models have been used as an algorithmic tool for quantum computation and to describe various physical processes. This paper revisits the relationship between relativistic quantum mechanics and the quantum walks. We show the similarities of the mathematical structure of the decoupled and coupled form of the discrete-time quantum walk to that of the Klein-Gordon and Dirac equations, respectively. In the latter case, the coin emerges as an analog of the spinor degree of freedom. Discrete-time quantum walk as a coupled form of the continuous-time quantum walk is also shown by transfor…
We present several families of graphs that allow both efficient quantum walk implementations and efficient quantum walk based search algorithms. For these graphs, we construct quantum circuits that explicitly implement the full quantum walk search algorithm, without reference to a `black box' oracle. These circuits provide a practically implementable method to explore quantum walk based search algorithms with the aim of eventual real-world applications. We also provide a numerical analysis of a quantum walk based search along a twisted toroid family of graphs, which requires O($\sqrt{n}$ log($…
We make and generalize the observation that summing of probability amplitudes of a discrete-time quantum walk over partitions of the walking graph consistent with the step operator results in a unitary evolution on the reduced graph which is also a quantum walk. Since the effective walking graph of the projected walk is not necessarily simpler than the original, this may bring new insights into the dynamics of some kinds of quantum walks using known results from thoroughly studied cases like Euclidean lattices. We use abstract treatment of the walking space and walker displacements in aim for …
Discrete-time quantum walk in one-dimension is studied from a path-integral perspective. This enables derivation of a closed-form expression for amplitudes corresponding to any coin-position basis of the state vector of the quantum walker at an arbitrary step of the walk. This provides a new approach to the foundations and applications of quantum walks.
Quantum walks, being the quantum analogue of classical random walks, are expected to provide a fruitful source of quantum algorithms. A few such algorithms have already been developed, including the `glued trees' algorithm, which provides an exponential speedup over classical methods, relative to a particular quantum oracle. Here, we discuss the possibility of a quantum walk algorithm yielding such an exponential speedup over possible classical algorithms, without the use of an oracle. We provide examples of some highly symmetric graphs on which efficient quantum circuits implementing quantum …
We address the problem of the construction of quantum walks on Cayley graphs. Our main motivation is the relationship between quantum algorithms and quantum walks. In particular, we discuss the choice of the dimension of the local Hilbert space and consider various classes of graphs on which the structure of quantum walks may differ. We completely characterise quantum walks on free groups and present partial results on more general cases. Some examples are given, including a family of quantum walks on the hypercube involving a Clifford Algebra.
Rules for quantizing the walker+coin parts of a classical random walk are provided by treating them as interacting quantum systems. A quantum optical random walk (QORW), is introduced by means of a new rule that treats quantum or classical noise affecting the coin's state, as sources of quantization. The long term asymptotic statistics of QORW walker's position that shows enhanced diffusion rates as compared to classical case, is exactly solved. A quantum optical cavity implementation of the walk provides the framework for quantum simulation of its asymptotic statistics. The simulation utilize…
Quantum walks are expected to provide useful algorithmic tools for quantum computation. This paper introduces absorbing probability and time of quantum walks and gives both numerical simulation results and theoretical analyses on Hadamard walks on the line and symmetric walks on the hypercube from the viewpoint of absorbing probability and time.
It is well-known that any quantum gate can be decomposed into the universal gate set {T, H, CNOT}, and recent results have shown that each of these gates can be implemented using a dynamic quantum walk, which is a continuous-time quantum walk on a sequence of graphs. This procedure for converting a quantum gate into a dynamic quantum walk, however, can result in long sequences of graphs. To alleviate this, in this paper, we develop a length-3 dynamic quantum walk that implements any single-qubit gate. Furthermore, we extend this result to give length-3 dynamic quantum walks that implement any …
Discrete-time quantum walks are known to exhibit exotic topological states and phases. Physical realization of quantum walks in a noisy environment may destroy these phases. We investigate the behavior of topological states in quantum walks in the presence of a lossy environment. The environmental effects in the quantum walk dynamics are addressed using the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian approach. We show that the topological phases of the quantum walks are robust against moderate losses. The topological order in one-dimensional split-step quantum walk persists as long as the Hamiltonian is $\mathc…
We set the ground for a theory of quantum walks on graphs- the generalization of random walks on finite graphs to the quantum world. Such quantum walks do not converge to any stationary distribution, as they are unitary and reversible. However, by suitably relaxing the definition, we can obtain a measure of how fast the quantum walk spreads or how confined the quantum walk stays in a small neighborhood. We give definitions of mixing time, filling time, dispersion time. We show that in all these measures, the quantum walk on the cycle is almost quadratically faster then its classical correspond…
We study the distributions of the continuous-time quantum walk on a one-dimensional lattice. In particular we will consider walks on unbounded lattices, walks with one and two boundaries and Dirichlet boundary conditions, and walks with periodic boundary conditions. We will prove that all continuous-time quantum walks can be written as a series of Bessel functions of the first kind and show how to approximate these series.
