Direct observation of quantum percolation dynamics
Feng Zhen,
Wu Bing-Hong,
Tang Hao,
Qiao Lu-Feng,
Wang Xiao-Wei,
Xu Xiao-Yun,
Jiao Zhi-Qiang,
Gao Jun,
Jin Xian-Min
Affiliations
Feng Zhen
College of Information and Engineering, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou325000, China
Wu Bing-Hong
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Tang Hao
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Qiao Lu-Feng
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Wang Xiao-Wei
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Xu Xiao-Yun
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Jiao Zhi-Qiang
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Gao Jun
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Jin Xian-Min
Center for Integrated Quantum Information Technologies (IQIT), School of Physics and Astronomy and State Key Laboratory of Advanced Optical Communication Systems and Networks, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai200240, China
Percolation, describing critical behaviors of phase transition in a geometrical context, prompts wide investigations in natural and social networks as a fundamental model. The introduction of quantum coherence and superposition brings percolation into quantum regime with more fascinating phenomena and unique features, which, however, has not been experimentally explored yet. Here we successfully map these large-scale porous structures into a photonic chip using femtosecond laser direct writing techniques and present an experimental demonstration of quantum transport in hexagonal percolation lattices, probed by coherent light. A quantum percolation threshold of 80% is observed in the prototyped laser-written lattices with up to 1,600 waveguides, which is significantly larger than the classical counterpart of 63%. We also investigate the spatial confinement by localization parameters and exhibit the transition from ballistic to diffusive propagation with the decrease of the occupation probability. Direct observation of quantum percolation may deepen the understanding of the relation among materials, quantum transport, geometric quenching, disorder and localization, and inspire applications for quantum technologies.
