Emergent Quantum Walk Dynamics from Classical Interacting Particles
Abstract
The dynamics of a discrete-time quantum walk (DTQW) can be realized within a purely classical interacting particle system composed of some boxes and a large but finite number of balls, and can, in principle, be implemented in a tabletop experimental setting. The distribution of the balls evolves under stochastic, occupation-dependent update rules at each lattice site, producing quantum-walk dynamics without invoking a wavefunction. The update parameters are fixed by the parameters of coin and shift operations of the DTQW. This framework naturally yields a generalized active spin model and provides a minimal lattice-based microscopic understanding of the emergence of quantum-like dynamics in active matter systems. This interdisciplinary approach connects the classical models to the broad range of applications where DTQWs are successfully employed.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2506.06896,
title = {Emergent Quantum Walk Dynamics from Classical Interacting Particles},
author = {Surajit Saha},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.06896},
year = {2026}
}