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Characterizing energy transfer and distribution in quantum batteries through continuous-time quantum walks

Lu Wang1, Feng-lin Wu1,2, Na-Na Li1, Sen-Yan Guo1, Rui-Yuan Li1, and Si-Yuan Liu1,2,3,4,*

  • 1Institute of Modern Physics, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
  • 2Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Theoretical Physics Frontiers, Xi'an 710127, China
  • 3Peng Huanwu Center for Fundamental Theory, Xi'an 710127, China
  • 4Fundamental Discipline Research Center for Quantum Science and technology of Shaanxi Province, Xi'an 710127, China

  • *Contact author: lsy5227@163.com
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Phys. Rev. A 114, 022432 – Published 17 August, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/tp85-wnpd

Abstract

We investigate the mechanisms of energy transfer and distribution in quantum batteries composed of multiple two-level battery cells within the single-excitation subspace. By employing the continuous-time quantum walk, we analyze how energy and ergotropy evolve dynamically under three representative topology structures, including the chain, the ring, and the complete graph. Two different coupling methods are examined separately, with the charger uniformly coupling all battery cells and the charger only locally coupling with a single battery cell. The results show that the topology structure and coupling symmetry crucially determine both the spatial distribution and transfer efficiency of energy. In the chain, energy propagates directionally with distinct interference fringes. In the ring, complete translational symmetry leads to bidirectional propagation without boundary reflection. In the complete graph, the system reduces to a low-dimensional collective model without spatial phase variation, so energy does not propagate between sites. When the coupling strength decays exponentially with distance, due to the introduction of high-order coupling and multipath interference, it exhibits richer dynamic behavior. In addition, the average power collective dynamics and scaling relationship under uniform coupling are analyzed.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. A 114, 022432– Published 17 August, 2026
  • Received 9 December 2025
  • Revised 16 March 2026
  • Accepted 29 July 2026
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