Direct Probe of Topological Invariants Using Bloch Oscillating Quantum Walks

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • V. V. Ramasesh
  • E. Flurin
  • Mark Spencer Rudner
  • I. Siddiqi
  • N. Y. Yao

The topology of a single-particle band structure plays a fundamental role in understanding a multitude of physical phenomena. Motivated by the connection between quantum walks and such topological band structures, we demonstrate that a simple time-dependent, Bloch-oscillating quantum walk enables the direct measurement of topological invariants. We consider two classes of one-dimensional quantum walks and connect the global phase imprinted on the walker with its refocusing behavior. By disentangling the dynamical and geometric contributions to this phase, we describe a general strategy to measure the topological invariant in these quantum walks. As an example, we propose an experimental protocol in a circuit QED architecture where a superconducting transmon qubit plays the role of the coin, while the quantum walk takes place in the phase space of a cavity.

Original languageEnglish
Article number130501
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume118
Issue number13
Number of pages6
ISSN0031-9007
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

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