Anderson localization for electric quantum walks and skew-shift CMV matrices

We consider the spectral and dynamical properties of one-dimensional quantum walks placed into homogenous electric fields according to a discrete version of the minimal coupling principle. We show that for all irrational fields the absolutely continuous spectrum of these systems is empty, and prove Anderson localization for almost all (irrational) fields. This result closes a gap which was left open in the original study of electric quantum walks: a spectral and dynamical characterization of these systems for typical fields. Additionally, we derive an analytic and explicit expression for the Lyapunov exponent of this model. Making use of a connection between quantum walks and CMV matrices our result implies Anderson localization for CMV matrices with a particular choice of skew-shift Verblunsky coefficients as well as for quasi-periodic unitary band matrices.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figure

Propagation and spectral properties of quantum walks in electric fields

We study one-dimensional quantum walks in a homogeneous electric field. The field is given by a phase which depends linearly on position and is applied after each step. The long time propagation properties of this system, such as revivals, ballistic expansion and Anderson localization, depend very sensitively on the value of the electric field $\Phi$, e.g., on whether $\Phi/(2\pi)$ is rational or irrational. We relate these properties to the continued fraction expansion of the field. When the field is given only with finite accuracy, the beginning of the expansion allows analogous conclusions about the behavior on finite time scales.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

The topological classification of one-dimensional symmetric quantum walks

We give a topological classification of quantum walks on an infinite 1D lattice, which obey one of the discrete symmetry groups of the tenfold way, have a gap around some eigenvalues at symmetry protected points, and satisfy a mild locality condition. No translation invariance is assumed. The classification is parameterized by three indices, taking values in a group, which is either trivial, the group of integers, or the group of integers modulo 2, depending on the type of symmetry. The classification is complete in the sense that two walks have the same indices if and only if they can be connected by a norm continuous path along which all the mentioned properties remain valid. Of the three indices, two are related to the asymptotic behaviour far to the right and far to the left, respectively. These are also stable under compact perturbations. The third index is sensitive to those compact perturbations which cannot be contracted to a trivial one. The results apply to the Hamiltonian case as well. In this case all compact perturbations can be contracted, so the third index is not defined. Our classification extends the one known in the translation invariant case, where the asymptotic right and left indices add up to zero, and the third one vanishes, leaving effectively only one independent index. When two translationally invariant bulks with distinct indices are joined, the left and right asymptotic indices of the joined walk are thereby fixed, and there must be eigenvalues at $1$ or $-1$ (bulk-boundary correspondence). Their location is governed by the third index. We also discuss how the theory applies to finite lattices, with suitable homogeneity assumptions.Comment: 36 pages, 7 figure

Almost Everything About the Unitary Almost Mathieu Operator

We introduce a unitary almost-Mathieu operator, which is obtained from a two-dimensional quantum walk in a uniform magnetic field. We exhibit a version of Aubry--Andr\'{e} duality for this model, which partitions the parameter space into three regions: a supercritical region and a subcritical region that are dual to one another, and a critical regime that is self-dual. In each parameter region, we characterize the cocycle dynamics of the transfer matrix cocycle generated by the associated generalized eigenvalue equation. In particular, we show that supercritical, critical, and subcritical behavior all occur in this model. Using Avila's global theory of one-frequency cocycles, we exactly compute the Lyapunov exponent on the spectrum in terms of the given parameters. We also characterize the spectral type for each value of the coupling constant, almost every frequency, and almost every phase. Namely, we show that for almost every frequency and every phase the spectral type is purely absolutely continuous in the subcritical region, pure point in the supercritical region, and purely singular continuous in the critical region. In some parameter regions, we refine the almost-sure results. In the critical case for instance, we show that the spectrum is a Cantor set of zero Lebesgue measure for arbitrary irrational frequency and that the spectrum is purely singular continuous for all but countably many phases.Comment: 41 pages, 5 figure

Chiral Floquet systems and quantum walks at half period

We classify periodically driven quantum systems on a one-dimensional lattice, where the driving process is local and subject to a chiral symmetry condition. The analysis is in terms of the unitary operator at a half-period and also covers systems in which this operator is implemented directly, and does not necessarily arise from a continuous time evolution. The full-period evolution operator is called a quantum walk, and starting the period at half time, which is called choosing another timeframe, leads to a second quantum walk. We assume that these walks have gaps at the spectral points $\pm1$, up to at most finite dimensional eigenspaces. Walks with these gap properties have been completely classified by triples of integer indices (arXiv:1611.04439). These indices, taken for both timeframes, thus become classifying for half-step operators. In addition a further index quantity is required to classify the half step operators, which decides whether a continuous local driving process exists. In total, this amounts to a classification by five independent indices. We show how to compute these as Fredholm indices of certain chiral block operators, show the completeness of the classification, and clarify the relations to the two sets of walk indices. Within this theory we prove bulk-edge correspondence, where second timeframe allows to distinguish between symmetry protected edge states at $+1$ and $-1$ which is not possible with only one timeframe. We thus resolve an apparent discrepancy between our above mentioned index classification for walks, and indices defined (arXiv:1208.2143). The discrepancy turns out to be one of different definitions of the term `quantum walk'.Comment: 25 pages, 2 figure

Complete homotopy invariants for translation invariant symmetric quantum walks on a chain

We provide a classification of translation invariant one-dimensional quantum walks with respect to continuous deformations preserving unitarity, locality, translation invariance, a gap condition, and some symmetry of the tenfold way. The classification largely matches the one recently obtained (arXiv: 1611.04439) for a similar setting leaving out translation invariance. However, the translation invariant case has some finer distinctions, because some walks may be connected only by breaking translation invariance along the way, retaining only invariance by an even number of sites. Similarly, if walks are considered equivalent when they differ only by adding a trivial walk, i.e., one that allows no jumps between cells, then the classification collapses also to the general one. The indices of the general classification can be computed in practice only for walks closely related to some translation invariant ones. We prove a completed collection of simple formulas in terms of winding numbers of band structures covering all symmetry types. Furthermore, we determine the strength of the locality conditions, and show that the continuity of the band structure, which is a minimal requirement for topological classifications in terms of winding numbers to make sense, implies the compactness of the commutator of the walk with a half-space projection, a condition which was also the basis of the general theory. In order to apply the theory to the joining of large but finite bulk pieces, one needs to determine the asymptotic behaviour of a stationary Schrodinger equation. We show exponential behaviour, and give a practical method for computing the decay constants

Propagation of Quantum Walks in Electric Fields

We study one-dimensional quantum walks in a homogenous electric field. The field is given by a phase which depends linearly on position and is applied after each step. The long time propagation properties of this system, such as revivals, ballistic expansion, and Anderson localization, depend very sensitively on the value of the electric field, Φ, e.g., on whether Φ/(2π) is rational or irrational. We relate these properties to the continued fraction expansion of the field. When the field is given only with finite accuracy, the beginning of the expansion allows analogous conclusions about the behavior on finite time scales