Open quantum-classical systems: A hybrid MASH master equation
Abstract
We propose a method which combines the quantum-classical mapping approach to surface hopping (MASH) with the dissipative quantum dynamics of the Lindblad master equation. Like conventional surface-hopping methods, our approach is based on classical trajectories coupled to the dynamics of a quantum subsystem. However, instead of evolving the subsystem wavefunction according to the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation, we use stochastic quantum trajectories derived from secular Redfield theory. This enables the simulation of open quantum systems coupled simultaneously to Markovian quantum baths and anharmonic non-Markovian classical degrees of freedom. Applications to the spin--boson model and to the cavity-enhanced fluorescence of an electronically nonadiabatic molecule show excellent agreement with fully quantum-mechanical benchmarks.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2511.05282,
title = {Open quantum-classical systems: A hybrid MASH master equation},
author = {Kasra Asnaashari and Jeremy O. Richardson},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2511.05282},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
14 pages, 5 figures