Simulating quantum statistics with entangled photons: a continuous transition from bosons to fermions

Understand

In contrast to classical physics, quantum mechanics divides particles into two classes-bosons and fermions-whose exchange statistics dictate the dynamics of systems at a fundamental level.

• In two dimensions quasi-particles known as 'anyons' exhibit fractional exchange statistics intermediate between these two classes.
• The ability to simulate and observe behaviour associated to fundamentally different quantum particles is important for simulating complex quantum systems.
• Here we use the symmetry and quantum correlations of entangled photons subjected to multiple copies of a quantum process to directly simulate quantum interference of fermions, bosons and a continuum of fractional behaviour exhibited by anyons.