Quantum walk transport properties on graphene structures

Bougroura, Hamza; Aissaoui, Habib; Chancellor, Nicholas; Kendon, Viv

Abstract

We present numerical studies of quantum walks on C 60 and related graphene structures to investigate their transport properties. Also known as a honeycomb lattice, the lattice formed by carbon atoms in the graphene phase can be rolled up to form nanotubes of various dimensions. Graphene nanotubes have many important applications, some of which rely on their unusual electrical conductivity and related properties. Quantum walks on graphs provide an abstract setting in which to study such transport properties independent of the other chemical and physical properties of a physical substance. They can thus be used to further the understanding of mechanisms behind such properties. We find that nanotube structures are significantly more efficient in transporting a quantum walk than cycles of equivalent size, provided the symmetry of the structure is respected in how they are used. We find faster transport on zigzag nanotubes compared to armchair nanotubes, which is unexpected given that for the actual materials the armchair nanotube is metallic, while the zigzag is semiconducting.

Citation

Bougroura, H., Aissaoui, H., Chancellor, N., & Kendon, V. (2016). Quantum walk transport properties on graphene structures. Physical Review A, 94(6), Article 062331. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.94.062331

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 19, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Dec 23, 2016
• Publication Date: Dec 23, 2016
• Deposit Date: Feb 10, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 10, 2017
• Journal: Physical Review A
• Print ISSN: 2469-9926
• Electronic ISSN: 2469-9934
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 94
• Issue: 6
• Article Number: 062331
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.94.062331
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1365621
• Related Public URLs: https://arxiv.org/abs/1611.02991v1