Non-Markovian dynamics of a qubit on the zigzag edge of photonic graphene

Abstract

We present an analytical study of the dynamics of a qubit coupled to the zigzag edge of a photonic honeycomb lattice. Leveraging a resolvent operator approach and exact lattice Green's functions, we map the spectrum of qubit-photon bound states and complex poles to uncover the long-time scaling laws of the qubit population. Unlike a qubit coupled to the bulk of graphene, the presence of a zero-energy flat band connecting the Dirac points suppresses long-time branch-cut-induced tails, instead driving damped Rabi oscillations. Potential experimental platforms are briefly discussed.