arXiv subjects

Andrew K. Harter

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew K. Harter.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Robust Quantum State Generation in Symmetric Spin Networks

In this work, we consider a parameterized Ising model with long-range symmetric pairwise interactions on a network of spin $\frac{1}{2}$ particles. The system is designed with symmetric dynamics, allowing for the reduction of the state space to a subspace defined by the set of Dicke states. We propose a method for designing robust electromagnetic amplitude pulses based on a moment quantization approach. The introduced parameter accounts for uncertainties in the electromagnetic field, resulting in a family of distinct Hamiltonians. By employing a discretized moment-based quantization technique, we design a control pulse capable of simultaneously steering an infinite collection of dynamical systems to compensate for parameter variations. This approach benefits from the duality between the infinite-dimensional parameterized system and its finite-dimensional trucnated moment dynamics. Simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of this method in achieving states of significant interest in quantum sensing, including the GHZ and W states.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2025

Topological and nonlinearity-induced thermalization in a PT-symmetric split-Langevin bath

Open classical systems with balanced, separated gain and loss, called PT-symmetric systems, have been extensively studied over the past decade. Here, we investigate the properties of a uniform, harmonic chain with spatially separated viscous loss and stochastic gain that are only statistically balanced. We show that such a "split Langevin" bath leads to either the absence of thermalization or non-equilibrium steady states with inhomogeneous temperature profile, both of which are understood in terms of normal modes of the chain. With a Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) chain, a canonical model with topological edge modes, we show that the steady-state properties reflect the topological phase of the underlying chain. We also show that nonlinearity stabilizes the amplifying modes in a harmonic chain, thereby leading to thermalization irrespective of the gain and loss locations. Our results expand the pool of possible realizations of non-Hermitian models to the stochastic domain.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2024

Optimal Ensemble Control of Matter-Wave Splitting in Bose-Einstein Condensates

We present a framework for designing optimal optical pulses for the matter-wave splitting of a Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) under the influence of experimental inhomogeneities, so that the sample is transferred from an initial rest position into a singular higher diffraction order. To represent the evolution of the population of atoms, the Schroedinger's equation is reinterpreted as a parameterized ensemble of dynamical units that are disparately impacted by the beam light-shift potential in a continuous manner. The derived infinite-dimensional coupled Raman-Nath equations are truncated to a finite system of diffraction levels, and we suppose that the parameter that defines the inhomogeneity in the control applied to the ensemble system is restricted to a compact interval. We first design baseline square pulse sequences for the excitation of BEC beam-splitter states following a previous study, subject to dynamic constraints for either a nominal system assuming no inhomogeneity or for several samples of the uncertain parameter. We then approximate the continuum state-space of the ensemble of dynamics using a spectral approach based on Legendre moments, which is truncated at a finite order. Control functions that steer the BEC system from an equivalent rest position to a desired final excitation are designed using a constrained optimal control approach developed for handling nonlinear dynamics. This representation results in a minimal dimension of the computational problem and is shown to be highly robust to inhomogeneity in comparison to the baseline approach. Our method accomplishes the BEC-splitting state transfer for each subsystem in the ensemble, and is promising for precise excitation in experimental settings where robustness to environmental and intrinsic noise is paramount.

math.OC↗

arXiv2022

Photonic quantum simulations of coupled $PT$-symmetric Hamiltonians

Parity-time ($PT$) symmetric Hamiltonians are generally non-Hermitian and give rise to exotic behaviour in quantum systems at exceptional points, where eigenvectors coalesce. The recent realisation of $PT$-symmetric Hamiltonians in quantum systems has ignited efforts to simulate and investigate many-particle quantum systems across exceptional points. Here we use a programmable integrated photonic chip to simulate a model comprised of twin pairs of $PT$-symmetric Hamiltonians, with each the time reverse of its twin. We simulate quantum dynamics across exceptional points including two- and three-particle interference, and a particle-trembling behaviour that arises due to interference between subsystems undergoing time-reversed evolutions. These results show how programmable quantum simulators can be used to investigate foundational questions in quantum mechanics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Connecting active and passive $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Floquet modulation models

Open systems with gain, loss, or both, described by non-Hermitian Hamiltonians, have been a research frontier for the past decade. In particular, such Hamiltonians which possess parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$) symmetry feature dynamically stable regimes of unbroken symmetry with completely real eigenspectra that are rendered into complex conjugate pairs as the strength of the non-Hermiticity increases. By subjecting a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system to a periodic (Floquet) driving, the regime of dynamical stability can be dramatically affected, leading to a frequency-dependent threshold for the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking transition. We present a simple model of a time-dependent $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonian which smoothly connects the static case, a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Floquet case, and a neutral-$\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric case. We analytically and numerically analyze the $\mathcal{PT}$ phase diagrams in each case, and show that slivers of $\mathcal{PT}$-broken ($\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric) phase extend deep into the nominally low (high) non-Hermiticity region.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2020

Real Edge Modes in a Floquet-modulated $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric SSH model

Non-Hermitian Hamiltonians provide a simple picture for analyzing systems with natural or induced gain and loss; however, in general, such Hamiltonians feature complex energies and a corresponding non-orthonormal eigenbasis. Provided that the Hamiltonian has $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry, it is possible to find a regime in which the eigenspectrum is completely real. In the case of static $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric extensions of the simple Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model, it has been shown that the energies associated with any edge states are guaranteed to be complex. Moving to a time-dependent system means that treatment of the Hamiltonian must be done at the effective time-scale of the modulation itself, allowing for more intricate phases to occur than in the static case. It has been demonstrated that with particular classes of periodic driving, achieving a real topological phase at high driving frequency is possible. In the present paper, we show the details of this process by using a simple two-step periodic modulation. We obtain a rigorous expression for the effective Floquet Hamiltonian and compare its symmetries to those of the original Hamiltonians which comprise the modulation steps. The $\mathcal{PT}$ phase of the effective Hamiltonian is dependent on the modulation frequency as well as the gain/loss strength. Furthermore, the topologically nontrivial regime of the $\mathcal{PT}$-unbroken phase admits highly-localized edge states with real eigenvalues in both the high frequency case and below it, albeit within a smaller extent of the parameter space.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2019

Observation of parity-time symmetry breaking transitions in a dissipative Floquet system of ultracold atoms

Open physical systems with balanced loss and gain, described by non-Hermitian parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$) reflection symmetric Hamiltonians, exhibit a transition which could engenders modes that exponentially decay or grow with time and thus spontaneously breaks the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry. Such $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking transitions have attracted many interests because of their extraordinary behaviors and functionalities absent in closed systems. Here we report on the observation of $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking transitions by engineering time-periodic dissipation and coupling, which are realized through state-dependent atom loss in an optical dipole trap of ultracold $^6$Li atoms. Comparing with a single transition appearing for static dissipation, the time-periodic counterpart undergoes $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking and restoring transitions at vanishingly small dissipation strength in both single and multiphoton transition domains, revealing rich phase structures associated to a Floquet open system. The results enable ultracold atoms to be a versatile tool for studying $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric quantum systems.

cond-mat.quant-gas↗

arXiv2018

Passive $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking transitions without exceptional points in dissipative photonic systems

Over the past decade, parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$)-symmetric Hamiltonians have been experimentally realized in classical, optical settings with balanced gain and loss, or in quantum systems with localized loss. In both realizations, the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking transition occurs at the exceptional point of the non-Hermitian Hamiltonian, where its eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenvectors both coincide. Here, we show that in lossy systems, the $\mathcal{PT}$ transition is a phenomenon that broadly occurs without an attendant exceptional point, and is driven by the potential asymmetry between the neutral and the lossy regions. With experimentally realizable quantum models in mind, we investigate dimer and trimer waveguide configurations with one lossy waveguide. We validate the tight-binding model results by using the beam propagation method analysis. Our results pave a robust way toward studying the interplay between passive $\mathcal{PT}$ transitions and quantum effects in dissipative photonic configurations.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2018

Observation of slowly decaying eigenmodes without exceptional points in Floquet, dissipative, synthetic circuits

We report the first experimental observation of multiple transitions showing the emergence and disappearance of slowly decaying eigenmodes in a dissipative, Floquet electronic system with synthetic components. Conventional wisdom has it that such transitions occur at exceptional points, and avoided-level-crossing driven phenomena in purely dissipative systems are formerly unexplored. Remarkably, in our system, the slowly decaying eigenmodes emerge without exceptional points. Our experimental setup makes use of an LC oscillator inductively coupled to an RLC oscillator, where the time-periodic (Floquet) inductive coupling and resistive-heating losses can be independently controlled by means of external voltage signals. With a Floquet dissipation, we observe that slowly-decaying eigenmodes emerge at vanishingly small dissipation strength in the weak coupling limit. With a moderate, Floquet coupling, multiple instances of their emergence and disappearance are observed. With an asymmetric dimer model, we show that these transitions, driven by avoided-level-crossing in purely dissipative systems, are generically present in both static and Floquet domains.

physics.class-ph↗

arXiv2018

Fragile aspects of topological transition in lossy and parity-time symmetric quantum walks

Quantum walks often provide telling insights about the structure of the system on which they are performed. In PT-symmetric and lossy dimer lattices, the topological properties of the band structure manifest themselves in the quantization of the mean displacement of such a walker. We investigate the fragile aspects of a topological transition in these two dimer models. We find that the transition is sensitive to the initial state of the walker on the Bloch sphere, and the resultant mean displacement has a robust topological component and a quasiclassical component. In PT symmetric dimer lattices, we also show that the transition is smeared by nonlinear effects that become important in the PT-symmetry broken region. By carrying out consistency checks via analytical calculations, tight-binding results, and beam-propagation-method simulations, we show that our predictions are easily testable in today's experimental systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2018

Time invariant $\mathcal{PT}$-product and phase locking in $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric lattice models

Over the past decade, non-Hermitian, $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonians have been investigated as candidates for both, a fundamental, unitary, quantum theory, and open systems with a non-unitary time evolution. In this paper, we investigate the implications of the former approach in the context of the latter. Motivated by the invariance of the $\mathcal{PT}$ (inner) product under time evolution, we discuss the dynamics of wave-function phases in a wide range of $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric lattice models. In particular, we numerically show that, starting with a random initial state, a universal, gain-site location dependent locking between wave function phases at adjacent sites occurs in the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry broken region. Our results pave the way towards understanding the physically observable implications of time-invariants in the non-unitary dynamics produced by $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric Hamiltonians.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Veiled symmetry of disordered Parity-Time lattices: protected PT-threshold and the fate of localization

Open, non-equilibrium systems with balanced gain and loss, known as parity-time ($\mathcal{PT}$)-symmetric systems, exhibit properties that are absent in closed, isolated systems. A key property is the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking transition, which occurs when the gain-loss strength, a measure of the openness of the system, exceeds the intrinsic energy-scale of the system. We analyze the fate of this transition in disordered lattices with non-Hermitian gain and loss potentials $\pm iγ$ at reflection-symmetric sites. Contrary to the popular belief, we show that the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric phase is protected in the presence of a correlated (periodic) disorder which leads to a positive $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking threshold. We uncover a veiled symmetry of such disordered systems that is instrumental for the said protection, and show that this symmetry leads to new localization behavior across the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking transition. We elucidate the interplay between such localization and the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry breaking phenomena in disordered $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric lattices, and support our conclusions with a beam-propagation-method analysis. Our theoretical predictions provide avenues for experimental realizations of $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric systems with engineered disorder.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

Sublattice signatures of transitions in a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric dimer lattice

Lattice models with non-hermitian, parity and time-reversal ($\mathcal{PT}$) symmetric Hamiltonians, realized most readily in coupled optical systems, have been intensely studied in the past few years. A $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric dimer lattice consists of dimers with intra-dimer coupling $ν$, inter-dimer coupling $ν'$, and balanced gain and loss potentials $\pm iγ$ within each dimer. This model undergoes two independent transitions, namely a $\mathcal{PT}$-breaking transition and a topological transition. We numerically and analytically investigate the signatures of these transitions in the time-evolution of states that are initially localized on the gain-site or the loss-site.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2016

$\mathcal{PT}$-breaking threshold in spatially asymmetric Aubry-Andre Harper models: hidden symmetry and topological states

Aubry-Andre Harper (AAH) lattice models, characterized by reflection-asymmetric, sinusoidally varying nearest-neighbor tunneling profile, are well-known for their topological properties. We consider the fate of such models in the presence of balanced gain and loss potentials $\pm iγ$ located at reflection-symmetric sites. We predict that these models have a finite $\mathcal{PT}$ breaking threshold only for {\it specific locations} of the gain-loss potential, and uncover a hidden symmetry that is instrumental to the finite threshold strength. We also show that the topological edge-states remain robust in the $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetry broken phase. Our predictions substantially broaden the possible realizations of a $\mathcal{PT}$-symmetric system.

physics.optics↗