English

Non-Markovian Dynamics of a Qubit Due to Single-Photon Scattering in a Waveguide

Quantum Physics 2018-04-17 v2 Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics Optics

Abstract

We investigate the open dynamics of a qubit due to scattering of a single photon in an infinite or semi-infinite waveguide. Through an exact solution of the time-dependent multi-photon scattering problem, we find the qubit's dynamical map. Tools of open quantum systems theory allow us then to discuss the general features of this map, find the corresponding non-Linbladian master equation, and assess in a rigorous way its non-Markovian nature. The qubit dynamics has distinctive features that, in particular, do not occur in emission processes. Two fundamental sources of non-Markovianity are present: the finite width of the photon wavepacket and the time delay for propagation between the qubit and the end of the semi-infinite waveguide.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1707.05946,
  title  = {Non-Markovian Dynamics of a Qubit Due to Single-Photon Scattering in a Waveguide},
  author = {Yao-Lung L. Fang and Francesco Ciccarello and Harold U. Baranger},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1707.05946},
  year   = {2018}
}

Comments

Integrated the supplementary material into main text and added the discussion on P-/CP-divisibility. To appear in New Journal of Physics