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Observation of emergent momentum–time skyrmions in parity–time-symmetric non-unitary quench dynamics

Author

Listed:
  • Kunkun Wang

    (Beijing Computational Science Research Center
    Southeast University)

  • Xingze Qiu

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    CAS Center For Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics)

  • Lei Xiao

    (Beijing Computational Science Research Center
    Southeast University)

  • Xiang Zhan

    (Beijing Computational Science Research Center
    Southeast University)

  • Zhihao Bian

    (Beijing Computational Science Research Center
    Southeast University)

  • Barry C. Sanders

    (University of Calgary
    Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
    University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Wei Yi

    (University of Science and Technology of China
    CAS Center For Excellence in Quantum Information and Quantum Physics)

  • Peng Xue

    (Beijing Computational Science Research Center
    Southeast University
    East China Normal University)

Abstract

Topology in quench dynamics gives rise to intriguing dynamic topological phenomena, which are intimately connected to the topology of static Hamiltonians yet challenging to probe experimentally. Here we theoretically characterize and experimentally detect momentum-time skyrmions in parity-time $$({\cal{P}}{\cal{T}})$$ ( P T ) -symmetric non-unitary quench dynamics in single-photon discrete-time quantum walks. The emergent skyrmion structures are protected by dynamic Chern numbers defined for the emergent two-dimensional momentum-time submanifolds, and are revealed through our experimental scheme enabling the construction of time-dependent non-Hermitian density matrices via direct measurements in position space. Our work experimentally reveals the interplay of $${\cal{P}}{\cal{T}}$$ P T symmetry and quench dynamics in inducing emergent topological structures, and highlights the application of discrete-time quantum walks for the study of dynamic topological phenomena.

Suggested Citation

  • Kunkun Wang & Xingze Qiu & Lei Xiao & Xiang Zhan & Zhihao Bian & Barry C. Sanders & Wei Yi & Peng Xue, 2019. "Observation of emergent momentum–time skyrmions in parity–time-symmetric non-unitary quench dynamics," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-10252-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10252-7
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