Exceptional-point control of reset-induced quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno transport
Phys. Rev. B 113, 125419 – Published 13 March, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/5f49-pqdk
Abstract
Frequent interventions on an open quantum system can suppress or enhance decay, giving rise to quantum Zeno and anti-Zeno effects, but their impact on coherent transport in extended systems remains less explored. Motivated by continuous resetting protocols in quadratic open systems, we develop a microscopic theory of reset-controlled transport through a tight-binding chain with a bright/dark lossy region coupled to a structured reservoir. Starting from a repeated-interaction model, we derive a Kofman-Kurizki-type decay rate whose dependence on the reset interval is governed by a sinc-squared filter. For smooth Ohmic baths this produces a purely Zeno-like suppression of transport, whereas for Lorentzian structured baths it yields a pronounced Zeno–anti-Zeno crossover that is reflected in the transmission of a single bright/dark dimer and in the exponential attenuation of chains of many dimers. We map out energy- and length-resolved transport phase diagrams, extend the resetting protocol to finite-temperature reservoirs, and analyze charge and heat currents within a Landauer framework. Finally, by periodically repeating the bright/dark cell we construct a reset-controlled non-Hermitian lattice whose complex Bloch bands host exceptional points (EP) tuned by the reset interval; the corresponding EP time coincides with the strongest suppression of transport, establishing a direct link between resetting protocols, Kofman-Kurizki dynamical control, and non-Hermitian band engineering in mesoscopic quantum transport.