title: Implementing quantum walks using orbital angular momentum of classical light.
abstract: We present an implementation scheme for a quantum walk in the orbital angular momentum space of a laser beam. The scheme makes use of a ring interferometer, containing a quarter-wave plate and a q plate. This setup enables one to perform an arbitrary number of quantum walk steps. In addition, the classical nature of the implementation scheme makes it possible to observe the quantum walk evolution in real time. We use nonquantum entanglement of the laser beam's polarization with its orbital angular momentum to implement the quantum walk.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban 4000, South Africa. goyal@ukzn.ac.za
authors.forename: Sandeep K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: Filippus S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Roux
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Forbes
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Konrad