Pair State Transfer

Abstract

Let $L$ denote the Laplacian matrix of a graph $G$. We study continuous quantum walks on $G$ defined by the transition matrix $U(t)=\exp\left(itL\right)$. The initial state is of the pair state form, $e_a-e_b$ with $a,b$ being any two vertices of $G$. We provide two ways to construct infinite families of graphs that have perfect pair transfer. We study a "transitivity" phenomenon which cannot occur in vertex state transfer. We characterize perfect pair state transfer on paths and cycles. We also study the case when quantum walks are generated by the unsigned Laplacians of underlying graphs and the initial states are of the plus state form, $e_a+e_b$. When the underlying graphs are bipartite, plus state transfer is equivalent to pair state transfer.