Bulk--Boundary Correspondence for Chiral Symmetric Quantum Walks

Discrete-time quantum walks (DTQW) have topological phases that are richer than those of time-independent lattice Hamiltonians. Even the basic symmetries, on which the standard classification of topological insulators hinges, have not yet been properly defined for quantum walks. We introduce the key tool of timeframes, i.e., we describe a DTQW by the ensemble of time-shifted unitary timestep operators belonging to the walk. This gives us a way to consistently define chiral symmetry (CS) for DTQW's. We show that CS can be ensured by using an "inversion symmetric" pulse sequence. For one-dimensional DTQW's with CS, we identify the bulk ZxZ topological invariant that controls the number of topologically protected 0 and pi energy edge states at the interfaces between different domains, and give simple formulas for these invariants. We illustrate this bulk--boundary correspondence for DTQW's on the example of the "4-step quantum walk", where tuning CS and particle-hole symmetry realizes edge states in various symmetry classes

Topological phases and delocalization of quantum walks in random environments

We investigate one-dimensional (1D) discrete time quantum walks (QWs) with spatially or temporally random defects as a consequence of interactions with random environments. We focus on the QWs with chiral symmetry in a topological phase, and reveal that chiral symmetry together with bipartite nature of the QWs brings about intriguing behaviors such as coexistence of topologically protected edge states at zero energy and Anderson transitions in the 1D chiral class at non-zero energy in their dynamics. Contrary to the previous studies, therefore, the spatially disordered QWs can avoid complete localization due to the Anderson transition. It is further confirmed that the edge states are robust for spatial disorder but not for temporal disorder.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figure

Explicit definition of PT\mathcal{PT} symmetry for non-unitary quantum walks with gain and loss

$\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry, that is, a combined parity and time-reversal symmetry is a key milestone for non-Hermite systems exhibiting entirely real eigenenergy. In the present work, motivated by a recent experiment, we study $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry of the time-evolution operator of non-unitary quantum walks. We present the explicit definition of $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry by employing a concept of symmetry time frames. We provide a necessary and sufficient condition so that the time-evolution operator of the non-unitary quantum walk retains $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry even when parameters of the model depend on position. It is also shown that there exist extra symmetries embedded in the time-evolution operator. Applying these results, we clarify that the non-unitary quantum walk in the experiment does have $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure

Relation between two-phase quantum walks and the topological invariant

We study a position-dependent discrete-time quantum walk (QW) in one dimension, whose time-evolution operator is built up from two coin operators which are distinguished by phase factors from $x\geq0$ and $x\leq-1$. We call the QW the ${\it complete\;two}$-${\it phase\;QW}$ to discern from the two-phase QW with one defect[13,14]. Because of its localization properties, the two-phase QWs can be considered as an ideal mathematical model of topological insulators which are novel quantum states of matter characterized by topological invariants. Employing the complete two-phase QW, we present the stationary measure, and two kinds of limit theorems concerning ${\it localization}$ and the ${\it ballistic\;spreading}$, which are the characteristic behaviors in the long-time limit of discrete-time QWs in one dimension. As a consequence, we obtain the mathematical expression of the whole picture of the asymptotic behavior of the walker in the long-time limit. We also clarify relevant symmetries, which are essential for topological insulators, of the complete two-phase QW, and then derive the topological invariant. Having established both mathematical rigorous results and the topological invariant of the complete two-phase QW, we provide solid arguments to understand localization of QWs in term of topological invariant. Furthermore, by applying a concept of ${\it\;topological\;protections}$, we clarify that localization of the two-phase QW with one defect, studied in the previous work[13], can be related to localization of the complete two-phase QW under symmetry preserving perturbations.Comment: 50 pages, 13 figure

Bulk-Edge Correspondence for Point-Gap Topological Phases in Junction Systems

The bulk-edge correspondence is one of the most important ingredients in the theory of topological phases of matter. While the bulk-edge correspondence is applicable for Hermitian junction systems where two subsystems with independent topological invariants are connected to each other, it has not been discussed for junction systems with non-Hermitian point-gap topological phases. In this Letter, based on analytical results obtained by the extension of non-Bloch band theory to junction systems, we establish the bulk-edge correspondence for point-gap topological phases in junction systems. We also confirm that almost all the eigenstates are localized near the interface which are called the "non-Hermitian proximity effects". One of the unique properties is that the localization length becomes the same for both subsystems nevertheless those model-parameters are different.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Finite Size Effects and Irrelevant Corrections to Scaling near the Integer Quantum Hall Transition

We present a numerical finite size scaling study of the localization length in long cylinders near the integer quantum Hall transition (IQHT) employing the Chalker-Coddington network model. Corrections to scaling that decay slowly with increasing system size make this analysis a very challenging numerical problem. In this work we develop a novel method of stability analysis that allows for a better estimate of error bars. Applying the new method we find consistent results when keeping second (or higher) order terms of the leading irrelevant scaling field. The knowledge of the associated (negative) irrelevant exponent $y$ is crucial for a precise determination of other critical exponents, including multifractal spectra of wave functions. We estimate $|y| > 0.4$, which is considerably larger than most recently reported values. Within this approach we obtain the localization length exponent $2.62 \pm 0.06$ confirming recent results. Our stability analysis has broad applicability to other observables at IQHT, as well as other critical points where corrections to scaling are present.Comment: 6 pages and 3 figures, plus supplemental material

Spin-directed network model for the surface states of weak three-dimensional Z2 \mathbb{Z}^{\,}_{2} topological insulators

A two-dimensional spin-directed $\mathbb{Z}^{\,}_{2}$ network model is constructed that describes the combined effects of dimerization and disorder for the surface states of a weak three-dimensional $\mathbb{Z}^{\,}_{2}$ topological insulator. The network model consists of helical edge states of two-dimensional layers of $\mathbb{Z}^{\,}_{2}$ topological insulators which are coupled by time-reversal symmetric interlayer tunneling. It is argued that, without dimerization of interlayer couplings, the network model has no insulating phase for any disorder strength. However, a sufficiently strong dimerization induces a transition from a metallic phase to an insulating phase. The critical exponent $\nu$ for the diverging localization length at metal-insulator transition points is obtained by finite-size scaling analysis of numerical data from simulations of this network model. It is shown that the phase transition belongs to the two-dimensional symplectic universality class of Anderson transition.Comment: 36 pages and 27 figures, plus Supplemental Materia

Topological Phases in a PT-Symmetric Dissipative Kitaev Chain

We study a topological phase in the dissipative Kitaev chain described by the Markovian quantum master equation. Based on the correspondence between Lindbladians, which generate the dissipative time-evolution, and non-Hermitian matrices, Lindbladians are classified in terms of non-Hermitian topological phases. We find out that the Lindbladian retains PT symmetry which is the prominent symmetry of open systems and then all the bulk modes can have a common lifetime. Moreover, when open boundary conditions are imposed on the system, the edge modes which break PT symmetry emerge, and one of the edge modes has a zero eigenvalue.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in JPS Conference Proceedings (LT29

Unveiling hidden topological phases of a one-dimensional Hadamard quantum walk

Quantum walks, whose dynamics is prescribed by alternating unitary coin and shift operators, possess topological phases akin to those of Floquet topological insulators, driven by a time-periodic field. While there is ample theoretical work on topological phases of quantum walks where the coin operators are spin rotations, in experiments a different coin, the Hadamard operator is often used instead. This was the case in a recent photonic quantum walk experiment, where protected edge states were observed between two bulks whose topological invariants, as calculated by the standard theory, were the same. This hints at a hidden topological invariant in the Hadamard quantum walk. We establish a relation between the Hadamard and the spin rotation operator, which allows us to apply the recently developed theory of topological phases of quantum walks to the one-dimensional Hadamard quantum walk. The topological invariants we derive account for the edge state observed in the experiment, we thus reveal the hidden topological invariant of the one-dimensional Hadamard quantum walk.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure