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Main Authors: Ferraro, Piergiorgio, Naves, Caio B., Larson, Jonas
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.09357
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author Ferraro, Piergiorgio
Naves, Caio B.
Larson, Jonas
author_facet Ferraro, Piergiorgio
Naves, Caio B.
Larson, Jonas
contents In this work we introduce discrete-time quantum walks in state space, more precisely on Fock-state lattices. Fock-state lattices provide a natural and clean setting for implementing lattice models, particularly in quantum optical systems. Thus, contrary to the common setting where the walker resides in real space or phase space, here the walk takes place in a synthetic space. We present a general formalism based on Lie algebras and their properties. For each Lie algebra one can associate both a phase space and a Fock-state lattice, and by understanding how these spaces are related, together with the action of generalized displacement operators, we construct the discrete unitary operator that generates the walk. In this framework the displacement operators replace the usual nearest-neighbor shifts and lead to state-dependent tunneling on the lattice. By considering several examples we demonstrate ballistic spreading and other characteristic features of discrete-time quantum walks, such as coin-walker entanglement and symmetry-induced interference patterns. We also show that different algebraic structures can give rise to qualitatively different dynamics, including anomalous behavior such as super-ballistic spreading as well as localization effects.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2604_09357
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Discrete-time quantum walks in synthetic dimensions
Ferraro, Piergiorgio
Naves, Caio B.
Larson, Jonas
Quantum Physics
In this work we introduce discrete-time quantum walks in state space, more precisely on Fock-state lattices. Fock-state lattices provide a natural and clean setting for implementing lattice models, particularly in quantum optical systems. Thus, contrary to the common setting where the walker resides in real space or phase space, here the walk takes place in a synthetic space. We present a general formalism based on Lie algebras and their properties. For each Lie algebra one can associate both a phase space and a Fock-state lattice, and by understanding how these spaces are related, together with the action of generalized displacement operators, we construct the discrete unitary operator that generates the walk. In this framework the displacement operators replace the usual nearest-neighbor shifts and lead to state-dependent tunneling on the lattice. By considering several examples we demonstrate ballistic spreading and other characteristic features of discrete-time quantum walks, such as coin-walker entanglement and symmetry-induced interference patterns. We also show that different algebraic structures can give rise to qualitatively different dynamics, including anomalous behavior such as super-ballistic spreading as well as localization effects.
title Discrete-time quantum walks in synthetic dimensions
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2604.09357