Spectral magnetization ratchets with discrete-time quantum walks

Abstract

We predict and theoretically study in detail the ratchet effect for the spectral magnetization of periodic discrete time quantum walks (DTQWs) --- a repetition of a sequence of $m$ different DTQWs. These generalized DTQWs are achieved by varying the corresponding coin operator parameters periodically with discrete time. We consider periods $m=1,2,3$. The dynamics of $m$-periodic DTQWs is characterized by a two-band dispersion relation $\omega^{(m)}_{\pm}(k)$, where $k$ is the wave vector. We identify a generalized parity symmetry of $m$-periodic DTQWs. The symmetry can be broken for $m=2,3$ by proper choices of the coin operator parameters. The obtained symmetry breaking results in a ratchet effect, i.e. the appearance of a nonzero spectral magnetization $M_s(\omega)$. This ratchet effect can be observed in the framework of continuous quantum measurements of the time-dependent correlation function of periodic DTQWs.