Observation of topologically protected bound states in photonic quantum walks

Takuya Kitagawa (), Matthew A. Broome (), Alessandro Fedrizzi, Mark S. Rudner, Erez Berg, Ivan Kassal, Alán Aspuru-Guzik, Eugene Demler and Andrew G. White
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Takuya Kitagawa: Harvard University
Matthew A. Broome: ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems and ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland
Alessandro Fedrizzi: ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems and ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland
Mark S. Rudner: Harvard University
Erez Berg: Harvard University
Ivan Kassal: ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems and ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland
Alán Aspuru-Guzik: Harvard University
Eugene Demler: Harvard University
Andrew G. White: ARC Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems and ARC Centre for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract Topological phases exhibit some of the most striking phenomena in modern physics. Much of the rich behaviour of quantum Hall systems, topological insulators, and topological superconductors can be traced to the existence of robust bound states at interfaces between different topological phases. This robustness has applications in metrology and holds promise for future uses in quantum computing. Engineered quantum systems—notably in photonics, where wavefunctions can be observed directly—provide versatile platforms for creating and probing a variety of topological phases. Here we use photonic quantum walks to observe bound states between systems with different bulk topological properties and demonstrate their robustness to perturbations—a signature of topological protection. Although such bound states are usually discussed for static (time-independent) systems, here we demonstrate their existence in an explicitly time-dependent situation. Moreover, we discover a new phenomenon: a topologically protected pair of bound states unique to periodically driven systems.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1872

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