Topological delocalization in the completely disordered two-dimensional quantum walk

We investigate numerically and theoretically the effect of spatial disorder on two-dimensional split-step discrete-time quantum walks with two internal "coin" states. Spatial disorder can lead to Anderson localization, inhibiting the spread of quantum walks, putting them at a disadvantage against their diffusively spreading classical counterparts. We find that spatial disorder of the most general type, i.e., position-dependent Haar random coin operators, does not lead to Anderson localization but to a diffusive spread instead. This is a delocalization, which happens because disorder places the quantum walk to a critical point between different anomalous Floquet-Anderson insulating topological phases. We base this explanation on the relationship of this general quantum walk to a simpler case more studied in the literature and for which disorder-induced delocalization of a topological origin has been observed. We review topological delocalization for the simpler quantum walk, using time evolution of the wave functions and level spacing statistics. We apply scattering theory to two-dimensional quantum walks and thus calculate the topological invariants of disordered quantum walks, substantiating the topological interpretation of the delocalization and finding signatures of the delocalization in the finite-size scaling of transmission. We show criticality of the Haar random quantum walk by calculating the critical exponent $\eta$ in three different ways and find $\eta$ $\approx$ 0.52 as in the integer quantum Hall effect. Our results showcase how theoretical ideas and numerical tools from solid-state physics can help us understand spatially random quantum walks.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures. Similar to the published version. Comments are welcom

Correlated metallic two-particle bound states in Wannier--Stark flatbands

Tight-binding single-particle models on simple Bravais lattices in space dimension $d \geq 2$, when exposed to commensurate DC fields, result in the complete absence of transport due to the formation of Wannier--Stark flatbands [Phys. Rev. Res. $\textbf{3}$, 013174 (2021)]. The single-particle states localize in a factorial manner, i.e., faster than exponential. Here, we introduce interaction among two such particles that partially lifts the localization and results in metallic two-particle bound states that propagate in the directions perpendicular to the DC field. We demonstrate this effect using a square lattice with Hubbard interaction. We apply perturbation theory in the regime of interaction strength $(U)$ $\ll$ hopping strength $(t)$ $\ll$ field strength $(\mathcal{F})$, and obtain estimates for the group velocity of the bound states in the direction perpendicular to the field. The two-particle group velocity scales as $U {(t/\mathcal{F})}^\nu$. We calculate the dependence of the exponent $\nu$ on the DC field direction and on the dominant two-particle configurations related to the choices of unperturbed flatbands. Numerical simulations confirm our predictions from the perturbative analysis.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures. Comments are welcom

Intermediate super-exponential localization with Aubry-Andr\'e chains

We demonstrate the existence of an intermediate super-exponential localization regime for eigenstates of the Aubry-Andr\'e chain. In this regime, the eigenstates localize factorially similarly to the eigenstates of the Wannier-Stark ladder. The super-exponential decay emerges on intermediate length scales for large values of the $\textit{winding length}$ -- the quasi-period of the Aubry-Andr\'e potential. This intermediate localization is present both in the metallic and insulating phases of the system. In the insulating phase, the super-exponential localization is periodically interrupted by weaker decaying tails to form the conventional asymptotic exponential decay predicted for the Aubry-Andr\'e model. In the metallic phase, the super-exponential localization happens for states with energies away from the center of the spectrum and is followed by a super-exponential growth into the next peak of the extended eigenstate. By adjusting the parameters it is possible to arbitrarily extend the validity of the super-exponential localization. A similar intermediate super-exponential localization regime is demonstrated in quasiperiodic discrete-time unitary maps.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures. Comments are welcom