Unitary and Open Scattering Quantum Walks on Graphs

Abstract

We study a class of Unitary Quantum Walks on arbitrary graphs, parameterized by a family of scattering matrices. These Scattering Quantum Walks model the discrete dynamics of a system on the edges of the graph, with a scattering process at each vertex governed by the scattering matrix assigned to it. We show that Scattering Quantum Walks encompass several known Quantum Walks. Additionally, we introduce two classes of Open Scattering Quantum Walks on arbitrary graphs, also parameterized by scattering matrices: one class defined on the edges and the other on the vertices of the graph. We show that these walks give rise to proper Quantum Channels and describe their main spectral and dynamical properties, relating them to naturally associated classical Markov chains.