A 2D Quantum Walk Simulation of Two-Particle Dynamics

TLDR

Random walks are a powerful mathematical tool for simulating processes in biology, chemistry, and finance, and quantum walks extend this by probing multiple paths simultaneously, having been demonstrated in one-dimensional settings. The authors demonstrate an optical system that simulates two-dimensional quantum walks, enabling the description of more complex processes. Schreiber et al.

Abstract

Here, There, Everywhere Random walks are a powerful mathematical method that can be used to simulate certain processes in biology, chemistry, or even the stock market. They present a statistical method for mapping the possible routes that processes can take. Quantum walks are expected to be able to probe multiple paths simultaneously. Quantum walks have been demonstrated for one-dimensional, or straight-line, walks. Now, Schreiber et al. (p. 55 , published online 8 March) demonstrate an optical system that can simulate quantum walks over a two-dimensional system, thereby providing the capability of describing much more complex processes.