Frederick W. Strauch

Mentor: Eite Tiesinga

Atomic Physics Division 842.02

Physics Laboratory

Building 221

Room A239

Mail Stop 8423

Phone: 301-975-5159

Fax:     301-990-1350

Email: frederick.strauch@nist.gov

Not a Sigma Xi member

Category: Physics

Title: Relativistic Quantum Walks

Abstract: By pursuing the deep relation between the one-dimensional Dirac equation and quantum walks, the physical role of quantum interference in the latter is explained.  It is shown that the time evolution of the probability density of a quantum walker, initially localized on a lattice, is directly analogous to relativistic wave-packet spreading.  Analytic wave-packet solutions reveal a striking connection between the discrete and continuous time quantum walks.