Dariusz Chruściński

Degree of non-Markovianity of quantum evolution.

We propose a new characterization of non-Markovian quantum evolution based on the concept of non-Markovianity degree. It provides an analog of a Schmidt number in the entanglement theory and reveals the formal analogy between quantum evolution and the entanglement theory: Markovian evolution corresponds to a separable state and the non-Markovian one is further characterized by its degree. It enables one to introduce a non-Markovianity witness-an analog of an entanglement witness, and a family of measures-an analog of Schmidt coefficients, and finally to characterize maximally non-Markovian evolution being an analog of the maximally entangled state. Our approach allows us to classify the non-Markovianity measures introduced so far in a unified rigorous mathematical framework.

Entanglement witnesses: construction, analysis and classification

From the physical point of view entanglement witnesses (EWs) define a universal tool for analysis and classification of quantum entangled states. From the mathematical perspective bipartite EWs provide highly non-trivial generalization of positive operators and establish elegant correspondence with the theory of positive maps in matrix algebras. We concentrate on theoretical analysis of various important notions like decomposability, atomicity, optimality, extremality and exposedness. Several methods of construction are provided as well. Our discussion is illustrated by many examples enabling the reader to see the intricate structure of these objects. It is shown that the theory of EWs finds elegant geometric formulation in terms of convex cones and related geometric structures.

Non-Markovianity and reservoir memory of quantum channels: a quantum information theory perspective

Quantum technologies rely on the ability to coherently transfer information encoded in quantum states along quantum channels. Decoherence induced by the environment sets limits on the efficiency of any quantum-enhanced protocol. Generally, the longer a quantum channel is the worse its capacity is. We show that for non-Markovian quantum channels this is not always true: surprisingly the capacity of a longer channel can be greater than of a shorter one. We introduce a general theoretical framework linking non-Markovianity to the capacities of quantum channels and demonstrate how harnessing non-Markovianity may improve the efficiency of quantum information processing and communication.

Measures of non-Markovianity: Divisibility versus backflow of information

We analyze two recently proposed measures of non-Markovianity: one based on the concept of divisibility of the dynamical map and the other one based on distinguishability of quantum states. We provide a toy model to show that these two measures need not agree. In addition, we discuss possible generalizations and intricate relations between these measures.

On the Structure of Entanglement Witnesses and New Class of Positive Indecomposable Maps

We construct a new class of positive indecomposable maps in the algebra of d x d complex matrices. Each map is uniquely characterized by a cyclic bistochastic matrix. This class generalizes Choi map for d = 3. It provides a new reach family of indecomposable entanglement witnesses which define important tool for investigating quantum entanglement.

Comparative study of non-Markovianity measures in exactly solvable one- and two-qubit models

In this paper we present a detailed critical study of several recently proposed non-Markovianity measures. We analyse their properties for single qubit and two-qubit systems in both pure-dephasing and dissipative scenarios. More specifically we investigate and compare their computability, their physical meaning, their Markovian to non-Markovian crossover, and their additivity properties with respect to the number of qubits. The bottom-up approach that we pursue is aimed at identifying similarities and differences in the behavior of non-Markovianity indicators in several paradigmatic open system models. This in turn allows us to infer the leading traits of the variegated phenomenon known as non-Markovian dynamics and, possibly, to grasp its physical essence.

Spectral Conditions for Positive Maps

We provide partial classification of positive linear maps in matrix algebras which is based on a family of spectral conditions. This construction generalizes the celebrated Choi example of a map which is positive but not completely positive. It is shown how the spectral conditions enable one to construct linear maps on tensor products of matrix algebras which are positive but only on a convex subset of separable elements. Such maps provide basic tools to study quantum entanglement in multipartite systems.

Circulant states with positive partial transpose

We construct a large class of quantum dxd states which are positive under partial transposition (so called PPT states). The construction is based on certain direct sum decomposition of the total Hilbert space displaying characteristic circular structure - that is why we call them circulant states. It turns out that partial transposition maps any such decomposition into another one and hence both original density matrix and its partially transposed partner share similar cyclic properties. This class contains many well-known examples of PPT states from the literature and gives rise to a huge family of completely new states.

Quantum damped oscillator I: Dissipation and resonances

Abstract Quantization of a damped harmonic oscillator leads to so called Bateman’s dual system. The corresponding Bateman’s Hamiltonian, being a self-adjoint operator, displays the discrete family of complex eigenvalues. We show that they correspond to the poles of energy eigenvectors and the corresponding resolvent operator when continued to the complex energy plane. Therefore, the corresponding generalized eigenvectors may be interpreted as resonant states which are responsible for the irreversible quantum dynamics of a damped harmonic oscillator.

Markovianity criteria for quantum evolution

We characterize a class of Markovian dynamics using the concept of a divisible dynamical map. Moreover, we provide a family of criteria which can distinguish Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics. These Markovianity criteria are based on a simple observation that Markovian dynamics implies monotonic behaviour of several well-known quantities such as distinguishability of states, fidelity, relative entropy and genuine entanglement measures.