Using Hilbert transform and classical chains to simulate quantum walks

Abstract: We propose a simulation strategy which uses a classical device of linearly coupled chain of springs to simulate quantum dynamics, in particular the quantum walks. Through this strategy, we obtain the quantum wave function from classical evolution. Specially, this goal is achieved with the classical momenta of the particles on the chain and their Hilbert transform, from which we construct the many-body momentum and Hilbert transformed momentum pair correlation functions yielding the real and imaginary parts of the wave function, respectively. With such wave function, we show that the classical chain's energy and heat spreading densities can be related to the wave function's modulus square. This relation indicates a concept of "phonon random walks", and thus it provides a new perspective to understand ballistic heat transport. The results here may give a definite answer to Feynman's idea of using a classical device to simulate quantum physics.