Quantum master equation

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A quantum master equation is a generalization of the idea of a master equation. Rather than just a system of differential equations for a set of probabilities (which only constitutes the diagonal elements of a density matrix), quantum master equations are differential equations for the entire density matrix, including off-diagonal elements. A density matrix with only diagonal elements can be modeled as a classical random process, therefore such an "ordinary" master equation is considered classical. Off-diagonal elements represent quantum coherence which is a physical characteristic that is intrinsically quantum mechanical.

A formally exact quantum master equation is the Nakajima–Zwanzig equation, which is in general as difficult to solve as the full quantum problem.

The Redfield equation and Lindblad equation are examples of approximate Markovian quantum master equations. These equations are very easy to solve, but are not generally accurate.

Some modern approximations based on quantum master equations, which show better agreement with exact numerical calculations in some cases, include the polaron transformed quantum master equation and the VPQME (variational polaron transformed quantum master equation). [1]

Numerically exact approaches to the kinds of problems to which master equations are usually applied include numerical Feynman integrals, [2] quantum Monte Carlo, DMRG [3] and NRG, MCTDH, [4] and HEOM.

See also

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The Hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) technique derived by Yoshitaka Tanimura and Ryogo Kubo in 1989, is a non-perturbative approach developed to study the evolution of a density matrix of quantum dissipative systems. The method can treat system-bath interaction non-perturbatively as well as non-Markovian noise correlation times without the hindrance of the typical assumptions that conventional Redfield (master) equations suffer from such as the Born, Markovian and rotating-wave approximations. HEOM is applicable even at low temperatures where quantum effects are not negligible.

Sudhir Ranjan Jain An Indian theoretical physicist

Sudhir Ranjan Jain(16 May 1963) is an Indian theoretical physicist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, known for his contributions in complex quantum systems and Nonlinear dynamics. He is a scientist at the nuclear physics division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, professor at Homi Bhabha National Institute and adjunct professor at the Centre for Excellence in Basic Sciences. He authored Mechanics, Waves and Thermodynamics: An Example-based Approach. His doctoral advisor was Prof. Suresh V. Lawande who was a student of Edward Teller. Prof. Lawande is known for his contributions in developing Monte Carlo methods in the evaluation of Feynman path integrals in imaginary time.

References

  1. D. McCutcheon, N. S. Dattani, E. Gauger, B. Lovett, A. Nazir (25 August 2011). "A general approach to quantum dynamics using a variational master equation: Application to phonon-damped Rabi rotations in quantum dots". Physical Review B. 84 (8): 081305R. arXiv: 1105.6015 . Bibcode:2011PhRvB..84h1305M. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.84.081305. S2CID   119275166.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. Dattani, Nike (2013), "FeynDyn: A MATLAB program for fast numerical Feynman integral calculations for open quantum system dynamics on GPUs", Computer Physics Communications, 184 (12): 2828–2833, arXiv: 1205.6872 , Bibcode:2013CoPhC.184.2828D, doi:10.1016/j.cpc.2013.07.001, S2CID   41378038
  3. Prior, Javier (30 July 2010). "Efficient Simulation of Strong System-Environment Interactions". Phys. Rev. Lett. 105: 050404. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.050404 . Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  4. Wang, Haobin (24 March 2017). "A multilayer multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree simulation of the reaction-coordinate spin-boson model employing an interaction picture". J. Chem. Phys. 146: 124112. doi:10.1063/1.4978901 . Retrieved 2 June 2021.