Open Quantum Systems. An Introduction

We revise fundamental concepts in the dynamics of open quantum systems in the light of modern developments in the field. Our aim is to present a unified approach to the quantum evolution of open systems that incorporates the concepts and methods traditionally employed by different communities. We present in some detail the mathematical structure and the general properties of the dynamical maps underlying open system dynamics. We also discuss the microscopic derivation of dynamical equations, including both Markovian and non-Markovian evolutions.Comment: 100 pages, 3 figures. Updated version with typos corrected. Preprint version of the published boo

Quantum Non-Markovianity: Characterization, Quantification and Detection

We present a comprehensive and up to date review on the concept of quantum non-Markovianity, a central theme in the theory of open quantum systems. We introduce the concept of quantum Markovian process as a generalization of the classical definition of Markovianity via the so-called divisibility property and relate this notion to the intuitive idea that links non-Markovianity with the persistence of memory effects. A detailed comparison with other definitions presented in the literature is provided. We then discuss several existing proposals to quantify the degree of non-Markovianity of quantum dynamics and to witness non-Markovian behavior, the latter providing sufficient conditions to detect deviations from strict Markovianity. Finally, we conclude by enumerating some timely open problems in the field and provide an outlook on possible research directions.Comment: Review article. Close to published versio

OTOC, complexity and entropy in bi-partite systems

There is a remarkable interest in the study of Out-of-time ordered correlators (OTOCs) that goes from many body theory and high energy physics to quantum chaos. In this latter case there is a special focus on the comparison with the traditional measures of quantum complexity such as the spectral statistics, for example. The exponential growth has been verified for many paradigmatic maps and systems. But less is known for multi-partite cases. On the other hand the recently introduced Wigner separability entropy (WSE) and its classical counterpart (CSE) provide with a complexity measure that treats equally quantum and classical distributions in phase space. We have compared the behavior of these measures in a system consisting of two coupled and perturbed cat maps with different dynamics: double hyperbolic (HH), double elliptic (EE) and mixed (HE). In all cases, we have found that the OTOCs and the WSE have essentially the same behavior, providing with a complete characterization in generic bi-partite systems and at the same time revealing them as very good measures of quantum complexity for phase space distributions. Moreover, we establish a relation between both quantities by means of a recently proven theorem linking the second Renyi entropy and OTOCs.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Classical to quantum correspondence in dissipative directed transport

We compare the quantum and classical properties of the (Quantum) Isoperiodic Stable Structures -- (Q)ISSs -- which organize the parameter space of a paradigmatic dissipative ratchet model, i.e. the dissipative modified kicked rotator. We study the spectral behavior of the corresponding classical Perron-Frobenius operators with thermal noise and the quantum superoperators without it for small $\hbar_{\rm eff}$ values. We find a remarkable similarity between the classical and quantum spectra. This finding significantly extends previous results -- obtained for the mean currents and asymptotic distributions only -- and on the other hand unveils a classical to quantum correspondence mechanism where the classical noise is qualitatively different from the quantum one. This is crucial not only for simple attractors but also for chaotic ones, where just analyzing the asymptotic distribution reveals insufficient. Moreover, we provide with a detailed characterization of relevant eigenvectors by means of the corresponding Weyl-Wigner distributions, in order to better identify similarities and differences. Finally, this model being generic, it allows us to conjecture that this classical to quantum correspondence mechanism is a universal feature of dissipative systems.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figure

Training Graduate Students in Utilization of Analytical Instruments in a Failure Analysis Course

Department of Engineering Technology at University of North Texas offers a graduate course on failure analysis (MSET 5150) during spring semesters. Partial requirement for the course is for students to submit a term paper based on their collected data related to a term project. Case studies are given to groups of students to work on actual failed components received from area industries. Results of their findings are presented at the end of the semester in both oral presentation form and written term paper form followed the format of a well-established technical papers. Results of such exercises allows graduate students devote skills in using scientific instruments and practice manuscript preparations for publication. This paper presents examples of a case studies done by groups of students who worked on failure analysis of components failed in an oil and gas industry. Students developed skills in utilization of scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometry. This exercise has proven highly effective in introducing young engineers to real world problems in oil and gas industry and help them develop skills needed in performing failure analysis and steps involved.Cockrell School of Engineerin