We consider finite-dimensional Markovian open quantum systems, and characterize the extent to which time-independent Hamiltonian control may allow to stabilize a target quantum state or subspace and optimize the resulting convergence speed. For a generic Lindblad master equation, we introduce a dissipation-induced decomposition of the associated Hilbert space, and show how it serves both as a tool to analyze global stability properties for given control resources and as the starting point to synthesize controls that ensure rapid convergence. The resulting design principles are illustrated in realistic Markovian control settings motivated by quantum information processing, including quantum-optical systems and nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond.
We investigate under which conditions a mixed state on a finite-dimensional multipartite quantum system may be the unique, globally stable fixed point of frustration-free semigroup dynamics subject to specified quasi-locality constraints. Our central result is a linear-algebraic necessary and sufficient condition for a generic (full-rank) target state to be frustration-free quasi-locally stabilizable, along with an explicit procedure for constructing Markovian dynamics that achieve stabilization. If the target state is not full-rank, we establish sufficiency under an additional condition, whic…
We provide a solution to the problem of determining whether a target pure state can be asymptotically prepared using dissipative Markovian dynamics under fixed locality constraints. Beside recovering existing results for a large class of physically relevant entangled states, our approach has the advantage of providing an explicit stabilization test solely based on the input state and constraints of the problem. Connections with the formalism of frustration-free parent Hamiltonians are discussed, as well as control implementations in terms of a switching output-feedback law.
Control strategies for dissipative preparation of target quantum states, both pure and mixed, and subspaces are obtained by switching between a set of available semigroup generators. We show that the class of problems of interest can be recast, from a control--theoretic perspective, into a switched-stabilization problem for linear dynamics. This is attained by a suitable affine transformation of the coherence-vector representation. In particular, we propose and compare stabilizing time-based and state-based switching rules for entangled state preparation, showing that the latter not only ensur…
It is proposed to map the quantum information qubit not to individual spin 1/2 states, but to the collective spin states being eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian including spin-spin interactions, which may be not small. Such an approach allows to introduce more stable calculation basis for quantum computer based on the solid state NMR systems.
Open quantum systems evolving according to discrete-time dynamics are capable, unlike continuous-time counterparts, to converge to a stable equilibrium in finite time with zero error. We consider dissipative quantum circuits consisting of sequences of quantum channels subject to specified quasi-locality constraints, and determine conditions under which stabilization of a pure multipartite entangled state of interest may be exactly achieved in finite time. Special emphasis is devoted to characterizing scenarios where finite-time stabilization may be achieved robustly with respect to the order o…
Conditions sufficient for a quantum dynamical semigroup (QDS) to be unital are proved for a class of problems in quantum optics with Hamiltonians which are self-adjoint polynomials of any finite order in creation and annihilation operators. The order of the Hamiltonian may be higher than the order of completely positive part of the formal generator of a QDS. The unital property of a minimal quantum dynamical semigroup implies the uniqueness of the solution of the corresponding Markov master equation in the class of quantum dynamical semigroups and, in the corresponding representation, it ensur…
In this paper we investigate parametrization-free solutions of the problem of quantum pure state preparation and subspace stabilization by means of Hamiltonian control, continuous measurement and quantum feedback, in the presence of a Markovian environment. In particular, we show that whenever suitable dissipative effects are induced either by the unmonitored environment or by non Hermitian measurements, there is no need for feedback control to accomplish the task. Constructive necessary and sufficient conditions on the form of the open-loop controller can be provided in this case. When open-l…
We consider the class of quantum stochastic evolutions ($SLH$-models) leading to a quantum dynamical semigroup over a fixed quantum mechanical system (taken to be finite-dimensional). We show that if the semigroup is dissipative, that is, the coupling operators are non-zero, then a dynamical decoupling scheme based on unitary rotations on the system space cannot suppress decoherence even in the limit where the period between pulses vanishes. We emphasize the role of the Fock space dilation used here to construct a quantum stochastic model, as there are often dilations of the same semigroup usi…
Preparation of pure states on networks of quantum systems by controlled dissipative dynamics offers important advantages with respect to circuit-based schemes. Unlike in continuous-time scenarios, when discrete-time dynamics are considered, dead-beat stabilization becomes possible in principle. Here, we focus on pure states that can be stabilized by distributed, unsupervised dynamics in finite time on a network of quantum systems subject to realistic quasi-locality constraints. In particular, we define a class of quasi-locality notions, that we name "tree-like hypergraphs," and show that the s…
We propose an engineered reservoir inducing the relaxation of a cavity field towards non-classical states. It is made up of two-level atoms crossing the cavity one at a time. Each atom-cavity interaction is first dispersive, then resonant, then dispersive again. The reservoir pointer states are those produced by an effective Kerr Hamiltonian acting on a coherent field. We thereby stabilize squeezed states and quantum superpositions of multiple coherent components in a cavity having a finite damping time. This robust method could be implemented in state-of-the-art experiments and lead to intere…
As opposed to traditional methods of multiple-quantum NMR spectroscopy authors of the article [G.A. Alvarez, D. Suter, Phys. Rev. A 84, 012320 (2011)] generated the effective double-quantum Hamiltonian, with the slight adding usual secular dipole-dipole Hamiltonian to the first one at the stage of the correlations preparing (so the perturbation appeared). At this framework the width of MQ spectra reveals tending to any constant amount with the growing up of the time. Also there were shown that the spectral width decreases with increasing perturbation strength. The growing up of the cluster siz…
We introduce a class of Markovian quantum master equations, able to describe the dissipative dynamics of a quantum system weakly coupled to one or several heat baths. The dissipative structure is driven by an entropic operator, the so called modular Hamiltonian, which makes it nonlinear. The generated Modular Dynamical Semigroup (MDS) is not, in general, a Quantum Dynamical Semigroup (QDS), whose dynamics is of the popular Lindblad type. The MDS has a robust thermodynamic structure, which guarantees for the positivity of the time evolved state, the correct steady state properties, the positivi…
In this paper, we consider stochastic master equations describing the evolution of a multi-qubit system interacting with electromagnetic fields undergoing continuous-time measurements. By considering multiple z-type (Pauli z matrix on different qubits) and x-type (Pauli x matrix on all qubits) measurements and one control Hamiltonian, we provide general conditions on the feedback controller and the control Hamiltonian ensuring almost sure exponential convergence to a predetermined Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state, which is assumed to be a common eigenstate of the measurement operators. …
We characterize and construct time-independent Markovian dynamics that drive a finite-dimensional multipartite quantum system into a target (pure) entangled steady state, subject to physical locality constraints. In situations where the desired stabilization task can not be attained solely based on local dissipative means, we allow for local Hamiltonian control or, if the latter is not an option, we suitably restrict the set of admissible initial states. In both cases, we provide algorithms for constructing a master equation that achieves the intended objective and show how this can genuinely …
A theorem of Hegerfeldt shows that if the spectrum of the Hamiltonian is bounded from below, then the propagation speed of certain probabilities does not have an upper bound. We prove a theorem analogous to Hegerfeldt's that appertains to asymmetric time evolutions given by a semigroup of operators. As an application, we consider a characterization of relativistic quasistable states by irreducible representations of the causal Poincare semigroup and study the implications of the new theorem for this special case.
We extend standard Markovian open quantum systems (quantum channels) by allowing for Hamiltonian controls and elucidate their geometry in terms of Lie semigroups. For standard dissipative interactions with the environment and different coherent controls, we particularly specify the tangent cones (Lie wedges) of the respective Lie semigroups of quantum channels. These cones are the counterpart of the infinitesimal generator of a single one-parameter semigroup. They comprise all directions the underlying open quantum system can be steered to and thus give insight into the geometry of controlled …
A quantum harmonic oscillator (spring subsystem) is stabilized towards a target Fock state by reservoir engineering. This passive and open-loop stabilization works by consecutive and identical Hamiltonian interactions with auxiliary systems, here three-level atoms (the auxiliary ladder subsystem), followed by a partial trace over these auxiliary atoms. A scalar control input governs the interaction, defining which atomic transition in the ladder subsystem is in resonance with the spring subsystem. We use it to build a time-varying interaction with individual atoms, that combines three non-comm…
Adapting ideas of Daubechies and Klauder [J. Math. Phys. {\bf 26} (1985) 2239] we derive a rigorous continuum path-integral formula for the semigroup generated by a spin Hamiltonian. More precisely, we use spin-coherent vectors parametrized by complex numbers to relate the coherent representation of this semigroup to a suitable Schrödinger semigroup on the Hilbert space $L^2(R^2)$ of Lebesgue square-integrable functions on the Euclidean plane $R^2$. The path-integral formula emerges from the standard Feynman-Kac-Itô formula for the Schrödinger semigroup in the ultra-diffusive limit of the unde…
We analyze the decoherence of charge states in double quantum dots due to cotunneling. The system is treated using the Bloch-Redfield generalized master equation for the Schrieffer-Wolff transformed Hamiltonian. We show that the decoherence, characterized through a relaxation $τ_{r}$ and a dephasing time $τ_ϕ$, can be controlled through the external voltage and that the optimum point, where these times are maximum, is not necessarily in equilibrium. We outline the mechanism of this nonequilibrium-induced enhancement of lifetime and coherence. We discuss the relevance of our results for recent …
We study a class of finite dimensional quantum dynamical semigroups exp(tL) whose generators L are sums of Lindbladians satisfying the detailed balance condition. Such semigroup arise in the weak coupling (van Hove) limit of Hamiltonian dynamical systems describing open quantum systems out of equilibrium. We prove a general entropic fluctuation theorem for this class of semigroups by relating the cumulant generating function of entropy transport to the spectrum of a family of deformations of the generator L. We show that, besides the celebrated Evans-Searles symmetry, this cumulant generating …
Dissipative Stabilization of Floquet-Engineered Many-Body Order
Boston University(波士顿大学);Harvard University(哈佛大学);University of Maryland, College Park(马里兰大学帕克分校);Joint Quantum Institute, NIST/University of Maryland(NIST/马里兰大学联合量子研究所)
The finite-time control problem of quantum systems is investigated in this paper. We first define finite-time stability and present a finite-time Lyapunov stability criterion for finite-dimensional quantum systems in coherence vector representation. Then, for two-level quantum systems, we design a continuous non-smooth control law with a state-dependent fractional power and prove the uniqueness of solutions of the system dynamics with the controller via the concept of transversality. By combining the finite-time Lyapunov stability criterion with the homogeneity theory, the finite-time converge…
While dissipation is widely considered as being harmful for quantum coherence, it can, when properly engineered, lead to the stabilization of non-trivial pure quantum states. We propose a scheme for continuous generation and stabilization of Schrödinger cat states in a cavity using dissipation engineering. We first generate non-classical photon states with definite parity by means of a two-photon drive and dissipation, and then stabilize these transient states against single-photon decay. The single-photon stabilization is autonomous, and is implemented through a second engineered bath, which …
Hypercontractivity of a quantum dynamical semigroup has strong implications for its convergence behavior and entropy decay rate. A logarithmic Sobolev inequality and the corresponding logarithmic Sobolev constant can be inferred from the semigroup's hypercontractive norm bound. We consider completely-positive quantum mechanical semigroups described by a Lindblad master equation. To prove the norm bound, we follow an approach which has its roots in the study of classical rate equations. We use interpolation theorems for non-commutative $L_p$ spaces to obtain a general hypercontractive inequalit…
We introduce a `proper time' formalism to study the instability of the vacuum in a uniform external electric field due to particle production. This formalism allows us to reduce a quantum field theoretical problem to a quantum-mechanical one in a higher dimension. The instability results from the inverted oscillator structure which appears in the Hamiltonian. We show that the `proper time' unitary evolution splits into two semigroups. The semigroup associated with decaying Gamov vectors is related to the Feynman boundary conditions for the Green functions and the semigroup associated with grow…
A Lyapunov-based method is presented for stabilizing and controlling of closed quantum systems. The proposed method is constructed upon a novel quantum Lyapunov function of the system state trajectory tracking error. A positive-definite operator in the Lyapunov function provides additional degrees of freedom for the designer. The stabilization process is analyzed regarding two distinct cases for this operator in terms of its vanishing or non-vanishing commutation with the Hamiltonian operator of the undriven quantum system. To cope with the global phase invariance of quantum states as a result…
We consider a model of quantum dynamical semigroup on a finite dimensional fermionic space, obtained as the continuous-time limit of a repeated interactions model between a system and several thermal baths, with a dynamic driven by quadratic Hamiltonians. We assume that there is a globally conserved observable which can be expressed as a sum of energies on the system and on each baths, and we study the energy fluxes between the baths and the system. First, we consider only the mean energy fluxes, and prove that every thermal machines on quasi-free fermions in trivial, in the sense that it is n…
We discuss dual time evolution scenarios which, albeit running according to the same real time clock, in each considered case may be mapped among each other by means of an analytic continuation in time. This dynamical duality is a generic feature of diffusion-type processes. Technically that involves a familiar transformation from a non-Hermitian Fokker-Planck operator to the Hermitian operator (e.g. Schroedinger Hamiltonian), whose negative is known to generate a dynamical semigroup. Under suitable restrictions upon the generator, the semigroup admits an analytic continuation in time and ulti…