Anyons in one-dimensional lattices: a photonic realization

Anyons are nonlocal quasi-particles carrying fractional statistics that interpolate between bosons and fermions. Here we propose a photonic realization of anyons moving on a one-dimensional lattice, which is based on light transport in an engineered square array of optical waveguides with a helically bent axis. Our photonic simulator enables visualization of the nonlocal nature of anyons in Fock space and the persistence of correlated tunneling even in the absence of particle interaction. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America