4 research outputs found
Dynamics of open quantum systems initially entangled with environment: Beyond the Kraus representation
We present a general analysis of the role of initial correlations between the
open system and an environment on quantum dynamics of the open system.Comment: 5 revtex pages, no figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev.
Thermalizing Quantum Machines: Dissipation and Entanglement
We study the relaxation of a quantum system towards the thermal equilibrium
using tools developed within the context of quantum information theory. We
consider a model in which the system is a qubit, and reaches equilibrium after
several successive two-qubit interactions (thermalizing machines) with qubits
of a reservoir. We characterize completely the family of thermalizing machines.
The model shows a tight link between dissipation, fluctuations, and the maximal
entanglement that can be generated by the machines. The interplay of quantum
and classical information processes that give rise to practical irreversibility
is discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur