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Observation of Non-Hermitian Edge Burst Effect in One-Dimensional Photonic Quantum Walk
Jiankun Zhu1, Ya-Li Mao1, Hu Chen1
1Department of Physics and Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
Abstract:
Non-Hermitian systems can exhibit unique quantum phases without any Hermitian counterparts. For example, the latest theoretical studies predict a new surprising phenomenon that bulk bands can localize and dissipate prominently at the system boundary, which is dubbed the non-Hermitian edge burst effect. Here we realize a one-dimensional non-Hermitian Su-Schrieffer-Heeger lattice with bulk translation symmetry implemented with a photonic quantum walk. Employing time-resolved single-photon detection to characterize the chiral motion and boundary localization of bulk bands, we determine experimentally that the dynamics underlying the non-Hermitian edge burst effect is due to the interplay of non-Hermitian skin effect and imaginary band gap closing. This new non-Hermitian physical effect deepens our understanding of quantum dynamics in open quantum systems.
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