arXiv subjects

Nicholas Chancellor

Publications and source records attributed to Nicholas Chancellor.

62 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2014

Quantification and Control of non-Markovian Evolution in Finite Quantum Systems via Feedback

We consider the unitary time evolution of continuous quantum mechanical systems confined to a cavity in contact with a finite bath of variable size. Measures for Markovianity for such finite system-bath configurations are developed in terms of Hilbert-Schmidt distances of time evolving wave packets. The relevant time scales are identified, which characterize pseudo-Markovian transient behavior, boundary scattering induced non-Markovian oscillations at intermediate times, and non-Markovian rephasing events at long time scales. It is shown how these time scales can be controlled by tunable parameters such as the bath size and the strength of the system-bath coupling.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2014

Interaction-induced anomalous quantum Hall state on the honeycomb lattice

We examine the existence of the interaction-generated quantum anomalous Hall phase on the honeycomb lattice. For the spinless model at half filling, the existence of a quantum anomalous Hall phase (Chern insulator phase) has been predicted using mean-field methods. However, recent exact diagonalization studies for small clusters with periodic boundary condition have not found a clear sign of an interaction-driven Chern insulator phase. We use exact diagonalization method to study properties of small clusters with open boundary condition and, contrary to previous studies, we find clear signatures of the topological phase transition for finite size clusters. We also examine applicability of the entangled-plaquette state (correlator-product state) ansatz to describe the ground states of the system. Within this approach the lattice is covered with plaquettes and the ground state wave-function is written in terms of the plaquette coefficients. Configurational weights can then be optimized using a variational Monte Carlo algorithm. Using the entangled-plaquette state ansatz we study the ground state properties of the system for larger system sizes and show that the results agree with the exact diagonalization results for small clusters. This confirms validity of the entangled-plaquette state ansatz to describe the ground states of the system and provides further confirmation of the existence of the quantum anomalous Hall phase in the thermodynamic limit, as predicted by the mean-field theory calculations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2013

Non-Markovian Equilibration Controlled by Symmetry Breaking

We study the effects of symmetry breaking on non-Markovian dynamics in various system-bath arrangements. It is shown that by breaking certain symmetries features signaling non-Markovian time evolution disappear within a finite time t_{g}. We demonstrate numerically that the scaling of t_{g} with the symmetry breaking strength is different for various types of symmetry. We provide a mathematical explanation for these differences related to the spectrum of the total system-bath Hamiltonian and provide arguments that the scaling properties of t_{g} should be universal.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2013

Scalable universal holonomic quantum computation realized with an adiabatic quantum data bus and potential implementation using superconducting flux qubits

In this paper we examine the use of an adiabatic quantum data transfer protocol to build a universal quantum computer. Single qubit gates are realized by using a bus protocol to transfer qubits of information down a spin chain with a unitary twist. This twist arises from altered couplings on the chain corresponding to unitary rotations performed on one region of the chain. We show how a controlled NOT gate can be realized by using a control qubit with Ising type coupling. The method discussed here can be extended to non-adiabatic quantum bus protocols. We also examine the potential of realizing such a quantum computer by using superconducting flux qubits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Experimental signature of programmable quantum annealing

Quantum annealing is a general strategy for solving difficult optimization problems with the aid of quantum adiabatic evolution. Both analytical and numerical evidence suggests that under idealized, closed system conditions, quantum annealing can outperform classical thermalization-based algorithms such as simulated annealing. Do engineered quantum annealing devices effectively perform classical thermalization when coupled to a decohering thermal environment? To address this we establish, using superconducting flux qubits with programmable spin-spin couplings, an experimental signature which is consistent with quantum annealing, and at the same time inconsistent with classical thermalization, in spite of a decoherence timescale which is orders of magnitude shorter than the adiabatic evolution time. This suggests that programmable quantum devices, scalable with current superconducting technology, implement quantum annealing with a surprising robustness against noise and imperfections.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2012

Using the J1-J2 Quantum Spin Chain as an Adiabatic Quantum Data Bus

This paper investigates numerically a phenomenon which can be used to transport a single q-bit down a J1-J2 Heisenberg spin chain using a quantum adiabatic process. The motivation for investigating such processes comes from the idea that this method of transport could potentially be used as a means of sending data to various parts of a quantum computer made of artificial spins, and that this method could take advantage of the easily prepared ground state at the so called Majumdar-Ghosh point. We examine several annealing protocols for this process and find similar result for all of them. The annealing process works well up to a critical frustration threshold.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2011

Propagation of Disturbances in Degenerate Quantum Systems

Disturbances in gapless quantum many-body models are known to travel an unlimited distance throughout the system. Here, we explore this phenomenon in finite clusters with degenerate ground states. The specific model studied here is the one-dimensional J1-J2 Heisenberg Hamiltonian at and close to the Majumdar-Ghosh point. Both open and periodic boundary conditions are considered. Quenches are performed using a local magnetic field. The degenerate Majumdar-Ghosh ground state allows disturbances which carry quantum entanglement to propagate throughout the system, and thus dephase the entire system within the degenerate subspace. These disturbances can also carry polarization, but not energy, as all energy is stored locally. The local evolution of the part of the system where energy is stored drives the rest of the system through long-range entanglement. We also examine approximations for the ground state of this Hamiltonian in the strong field limit, and study how couplings away from the Majumdar-Ghosh point affect the propagation of disturbances. We find that even in the case of approximate degeneracy, a disturbance can be propagated throughout a finite system.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2010

Local quenches in frustrated quantum spin chains: global vs. subsystem equilibration

We study the equilibration behavior following local quenches, using frustrated quantum spin chains as an example of interacting closed quantum systems. Specifically, we examine the statistics of the time series of the Loschmidt echo, the trace distance of the time-evolved local density matrix to its average state, and the local magnetization. Depending on the quench parameters, the equilibration statistics of these quantities show features of good or poor equilibration, indicated by Gaussian, exponential or bistable distribution functions. These universal functions provide valuable tools to characterize the various time-evolution responses and give insight into the plethora of equilibration phenomena in complex quantum systems.

quant-ph↗