Anyonic quantum walks

The one dimensional quantum walk of anyonic systems is presented. The anyonic walker performs braiding operations with stationary anyons of the same type ordered canonically on the line of the walk. Abelian as well as non-Abelian anyons are studied and it is shown that they have very different properties. Abelian anyonic walks demonstrate the expected quadratic quantum speedup. Non-Abelian anyonic walks are much more subtle. The exponential increase of the system’s Hilbert space and the particular statistical evolution of non-Abelian anyons give a variety of new behaviors. The position distribution of the walker is related to Jones polynomials, topological invariants of the links created by the anyonic world-lines during the walk. Several examples such as the SU(2)_k and the quantum double models are considered that provide insight to the rich diffusion properties of anyons.     

Hardy and Lieb-Thirring Inequalities for Anyons

We consider the many-particle quantum mechanics of anyons, i.e. identical particles in two space dimensions with a continuous statistics parameter ${\alpha \in [0, 1]}$ α ∈ [ 0 , 1 ] ranging from bosons (α = 0) to fermions (α = 1). We prove a (magnetic) Hardy inequality for anyons, which in the case that α is an odd numerator fraction implies a local exclusion principle for the kinetic energy of such anyons. From this result, and motivated by Dyson and Lenard’s original approach to the stability of fermionic matter in three dimensions, we prove a Lieb-Thirring inequality for these types of anyons.     

Interferometry of non-Abelian anyons

We develop the general quantum measurement theory of non-Abelian anyons through interference experiments. The paper starts with a terse introduction to the theory of anyon models, focusing on the basic formalism necessary to apply standard quantum measurement theory to such systems. This is then applied to give a detailed analysis of anyonic charge measurements using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer for arbitrary anyon models. We find that, as anyonic probes are sent through the legs of the interferometer, superpositions of the total anyonic charge located in the target region collapse when they are distinguishable via monodromy with the probe anyons, which also determines the rate of collapse. We give estimates on the number of probes needed to obtain a desired confidence level for the measurement outcome distinguishing between charges, and explicitly work out a number of examples for some significant anyon models. We apply the same techniques to describe interferometry measurements in a double point-contact interferometer realized in fractional quantum Hall systems. To lowest order in tunneling, these results essentially match those from the Mach-Zehnder interferometer, but we also provide the corrections due to processes involving multiple tunnelings. Finally, we give explicit predictions describing state measurements for experiments in the Abelian hierarchy states, the non-Abelian Moore-Read state at ν=5/2 and Read-Rezayi state at ν=12/5.     

Competing boundary interactions in a Josephson junction network with an impurity

We analyze a perturbation of the boundary Sine-Gordon model where two boundary terms of different periodicities and scaling dimensions are coupled to a Kondo-like spin degree of freedom. We show that, by pertinently engineering the coupling with the spin degree of freedom, a competition between the two boundary interactions may be induced, and that this gives rise to nonperturbative phenomena, such as the emergence of novel quantum phases: indeed, we demonstrate that the strongly coupled fixed point may become unstable as a result of the “deconfinement” of a new set of phase-slip operators — the short instantons — associated with the less relevant boundary operator. We point out that a Josephson junction network with a pertinent impurity located at its center provides a physical realization of this boundary double Sine-Gordon model. For this Josephson junction network, we prove that the competition between the two boundary interactions stabilizes a robust finite coupling fixed point and, at a pertinent scale, allows for the onset of 4e superconductivity.     

Boundary conformal field theory and tunneling of edge quasiparticles in non-Abelian topological states

We explain how (perturbed) boundary conformal field theory allows us to understand the tunneling of edge quasiparticles in non-Abelian topological states. The coupling between a bulk non-Abelian quasiparticle and the edge is due to resonant tunneling to a zero mode on the quasiparticle, which causes the zero mode to hybridize with the edge. This can be reformulated as the flow from one conformally invariant boundary condition to another in an associated critical statistical mechanical model. Tunneling from one edge to another at a point contact can split the system in two, either partially or completely. This can be reformulated in the critical statistical mechanical model as the flow from one type of defect line to another. We illustrate these two phenomena in detail in the context of the ν=5/2 quantum Hall state and the critical Ising model. We briefly discuss the case of Fibonacci anyons and conclude by explaining the general formulation and its physical interpretation.     

Role of dipole image forces in molecular adsorption

The transverse-field XY model in one dimension is a well-known spin model for which the ground state properties and excitation spectrum are known exactly. The model has an interesting phase diagram describing quantum phase transitions (QPTs) belonging to two different universality classes. These are the transverse-field Ising model and the XX model universality classes with both the models being special cases of the transverse-field XY model. In recent years, quantities related to quantum information theoretic measures like entanglement, quantum discord (QD) and fidelity have been shown to provide signatures of QPTs. Another interesting issue is that of decoherence to which a quantum system is subjected due to its interaction, represented by a quantum channel, with an environment. In this paper, we determine the dynamics of different types of correlations present in a quantum system, namely, the mutual information I(?? _AB ), the classical correlations C(?? _AB ) and the quantum correlations Q(?? _AB ), as measured by the quantum discord, in a two-qubit state. The density matrix of this state is given by the nearest-neighbour reduced density matrix obtained from the ground state of the transverse-field XY model in 1d. We assume Markovian dynamics for the time-evolution due to system-environment interactions. The quantum channels considered include the bit-flip, bit-phase-flip and phase-flip channels. Two different types of dynamics are identified for the channels in one of which the quantum correlations are greater in magnitude than the classical correlations in a finite time interval. The origins of the different types of dynamics are further explained. For the different channels, appropriate quantities associated with the dynamics of the correlations are identified which provide signatures of QPTs. We also report results for further-neighbour two-qubit states and finite temperatures.     

A Scheme for Simulation of Quantum Gates byAbelian Anyons

Anyons can be used to realize quantum computation, because they are two-level systems in two dimensions. In this paper, we propose a scheme to simulate single-qubit gates and CNOT gate using Abelian anyons in the Kitaev model. Two pairs of anyons (six spins) are used to realize single-qubit gates, while ten spins are needed for the CNOT gate. Based on these quantum gates, we show how to realize the Grover algorithm in a two-qubit system.     

Anyons and the quantum Hall effect—A pedagogical review

The dichotomy between fermions and bosons is at the root of many physical phenomena, from metallic conduction of electricity to super-fluidity, and from the periodic table to coherent propagation of light. The dichotomy originates from the symmetry of the quantum mechanical wave function to the interchange of two identical particles. In systems that are confined to two spatial dimensions particles that are neither fermions nor bosons, coined “anyons”, may exist. The fractional quantum Hall effect offers an experimental system where this possibility is realized. In this paper we present the concept of anyons, we explain why the observation of the fractional quantum Hall effect almost forces the notion of anyons upon us, and we review several possible ways for a direct observation of the physics of anyons. Furthermore, we devote a large part of the paper to non-abelian anyons, motivating their existence from the point of view of trial wave functions, giving a simple exposition of their relation to conformal field theories, and reviewing several proposals for their direct observation.     

On Isospectral Deformations of an Inhomogeneous String

For an anyon model in two spatial dimensions described by a modular tensor category, the topological S-matrix encodes the mutual braiding statistics, the quantum dimensions, and the fusion rules of anyons. It is nontrivial whether one can compute the S-matrix from a single ground state wave function. Here, we define a class of Hamiltonians consisting of local commuting projectors and an associated matrix that is invariant under local unitary transformations. We argue that the invariant is equivalent to the topological S-matrix. The definition does not require degeneracy of the ground state. We prove that the invariant depends on the state only, in the sense that it can be computed by any Hamiltonian in the class of which the state is a ground state. As a corollary, we prove that any local quantum circuit that connects two ground states of quantum double models (discrete gauge theories) with non-isomorphic abelian groups must have depth that is at least linear in the system’s diameter. As a tool for the proof, a manifestly Hamiltonian-independent notion of locally invisible operators is introduced. This gives a sufficient condition for a many-body state not to be generated from a product state by any small depth quantum circuit; this is a many-body entanglement witness.     

The Legendre Structure of the Parisi Formula

We study easy quantum groups, a combinatorial class of orthogonal quantum groups introduced by Banica–Speicher in 2009. We show that there is a countable descending chain of easy quantum groups interpolating between Bichon’s free wreath product with the permutation group S_n and a semi-direct product of a permutation action of S_n on a free product. This reveals a series of new commutation relations interpolating between a free product construction and the tensor product. Furthermore, we prove a dichotomy result saying that every hyperoctahedral easy quantum group is either part of our new interpolating series of quantum groups or belongs to a class of semi-direct product quantum groups recently studied by the authors. This completes the classification of easy quantum groups. We also study combinatorial and operator algebraic aspects of the new interpolating series.     

Hot twists for the single-point model of large-N QCD

We construct two types of twists for the SU(N→∞) twisted-Eguchi-Kawai model, which mimic a periodic boundary condition in the temporal direction only and over an arbitrary extent N₀. In this way we introduce finite temperature (T=N₀^?1 in lattice units) in the single-point model. In weak coupling one gets the correct planar expansion.     

Quantum field theory of anyons

For a Minkowski spacetime of dimension three, particles of arbitrary, real spin and intermediate (-) statistics, called anyons, are studied within the framework of relativistic quantum field theory. The localization properties of interpolating fields for anyons and the relation between the spin of anyons and their statistics are discussed on general grounds. A model of a quantum field theory exhibiting anyons is described. Our results might be relevant in connection with the fractional quantum Hall effect and two-dimensional models of high-T _c superconductors.     

Anyons in an exactly solved model and beyond

A spin-1/2 system on a honeycomb lattice is studied. The interactions between nearest neighbors are of XX, YY or ZZ type, depending on the direction of the link; different types of interactions may differ in strength. The model is solved exactly by a reduction to free fermions in a static Z₂ gauge field. A phase diagram in the parameter space is obtained. One of the phases has an energy gap and carries excitations that are Abelian anyons. The other phase is gapless, but acquires a gap in the presence of magnetic field. In the latter case excitations are non-Abelian anyons whose braiding rules coincide with those of conformal blocks for the Ising model. We also consider a general theory of free fermions with a gapped spectrum, which is characterized by a spectral Chern number ν. The Abelian and non-Abelian phases of the original model correspond to ν = 0 and ν = ±1, respectively. The anyonic properties of excitation depend on ν mod 16, whereas ν itself governs edge thermal transport. The paper also provides mathematical background on anyons as well as an elementary theory of Chern number for quasidiagonal matrices.     

Critical behaviour at the displacive limit of structural phase transitions

For a special critical point at zero temperature,T _c =0, which is called the displacive limit of a classical or of a quantum-mechanical model showing displacive phase transitions, we derive a set of static critical exponents in the large-n limit. Due to zero-point motions and quantum fluctuations at low temperatures, the exponents of the quantum model are different from those of the classical model. Moreover, we report results on scaling functions, corrections to scaling, and logarithmic factors which appear ford=2 in the classical case and ford=3 in the quantum-mechanical case. Zero-point motions cause a decrease of the critical temperature of the quantum model with respect to the classicalT _c , which implies a difference between the classical and the quantum displacive limit. However, finite critical temperatures are found in both cases ford>2, while critical fluctuations still occur atT _c =0 for 0<d≦2 in the classical case and for 1 <d≦2 in the quantum model. Further we derive the slope of the critical curve at the classical displacive limit exactly. The absence of 1/n-corrections to the exponents of the classical model is also discussed.     

Bethe ansatz and boundary energy of the open spin-1/2 XXZ chain

We review recent results on the Bethe ansatz solutions for the eigenvalues of the transfer matrix of an integrable open XXZ quantum spin chain using functional relations which the transfer matrix obeys at roots of unity. First, we consider a case where at most two of the boundary parameters α_?, α₊, β_?, β₊ are nonzero. A generalization of the BaxterT-Q equation that involves more than one independentQ is described. We use this solution to compute the boundary energy of the chain in the thermodynamic limit. We conclude the paper with a review of some results for the general integrable boundary terms, where all six boundary parameters are arbitrary.     

Supersymmetries of the spin-1/2 particle in the field of magnetic vortex, and anyons

The quantum non-relativistic spin-1/2 planar systems in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field are known to possess the N = 2 supersymmetry. We consider such a system in the field of a magnetic vortex, and find that there are just two self-adjoint extensions of the Hamiltonian that are compatible with the standard N = 2 supersymmetry. We show that only in these two cases one of the subsystems coincides with the original spinless Aharonov-Bohm model and comes accompanied by the super-partner Hamiltonian which allows a singular behavior of the wave functions. We find a family of additional, nonlocal integrals of motion and treat them together with local supercharges in the unifying framework of the tri-supersymmetry. The inclusion of the dynamical conformal symmetries leads to an infinitely generated superalgebra, that contains several representations of the superconformal osp(2∣2) symmetry. We present the application of the results in the framework of the two-body model of identical anyons. The nontrivial contact interaction and the emerging N = 2 linear and nonlinear supersymmetries of the anyons are discussed.     

Semiclassical theory for two-anyon system

The semiclassical quantization conditions for all partial waves are derived for bound states of two interacting anyons in the presence of a uniform background magnetic field. Singular Aharonov-Bohm type interactions between the anyons are dealt with by the modified WKB method of Friedrich and Trost. For s-wave bound state problems in which the choice of the boundary condition at short distance gives rise to an additional ambiguity, a suitable generalization of the latter method is required to develop a consistent WKB approach. We here show how the related self-adjoint extension parameter affects the semiclassical quantization condition for energy levels. For some simple cases admitting exact answers, we verify that our semiclassical formulas in fact provide highly accurate results over a broad quantum number range.     

Boundary Conditions for the Dynamical Equations of Quantum Mechanics

We discuss the problem whether the time evolution in quantum physics should be represented by the time-symmetric unitary-group evolution, i.e., whether time t extends over???∞?<?t?<?+∞ or it is more realistic to describe quantum systems by a mathematical theory, for which time t starts from a finite value t ₀: t ₀?≤?t?<?+∞, for which the mathematicians would choose t ₀?=?0,¹ but which could be any finite value. If the quantum system in the lab should be described by some kind of quantum theory, one should also admit the possibility that the solution of the dynamical equations needs to be found under boundary conditions that admit a semigroup evolution. It is remarkable that results in lab experiments indicate the existence of an ensemble of finite beginnings of time $ t_0^{(i) } $ for an ensemble of individual quanta.     

The application of extended permutation-inversion groups to internal rotation of a symmetric rotor top in a symmetric or asymmetric rotor molecule

By applying the concept of extended groups to the internal rotation problem in molecules with unequal halves, it has proved possible to construct a consistent formalism involving groups which correspond to very high, but finite multiples of the original Longuet-Higgins permutation-inversion group of the molecule. This formalism thus bridges the gap between the infinite extended groups used for linear molecules and the double groups used for molecules with two identical coaxial rotors. For the example of CF₃NO considered explicitly in this paper, with permutation-inversion group isomorphic to C_3v, the extended group is found to be isomorphic to C_3m,v, where m is an integer obtained from the rational number $\text{p}\text{m}$ which equals within experimental error the ratio ρ of top and molecule moments-of-inertia frequently introduced in discussions of the internal rotation problem. The extended group formalism can be used to rederive in an interesting fashion many results already well known from theoretical discussions in the earlier infrared and microwave literature, and shows promise for the treatment of as yet unsolved problems in molecules exhibiting internal rotation.