Effects of disorder on non-unitary $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetric quantum walks

Abstract

$\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry, namely, a combined parity and time-reversal symmetry can make non-unitary quantum walks exhibit entirely real eigenenergy. However, it is known that the concept of $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry can be generalized and an arbitrary anti-unitary symmetry has a possibility to substitute $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry. The aim of the present work is to seek such non-unitary quantum walks with generalized $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry by focusing on effects of spatially random disorder which breaks $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry. We numerically find non-unitary quantum walks whose quasi-energy is entirely real despite $\mathcal{PT}$ symmetry is broken.