Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Ángel Rivas

Publications and source records attributed to Ángel Rivas.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2015

Nonlinear Michelson interferometer for improved quantum metrology

We examine quantum detection via a Michelson interferometer embedded in a gas with Kerr nonlinearity. This nonlinear interferometer is illuminated by pulses of classical light. This strategy combines the robustness against practical imperfections of classical light with the improvement provided by nonlinear processes. Regarding ultimate quantum limits, we stress that, as a difference with linear schemes, the nonlinearity introduces pulse duration as a new variable into play along with the energy resources.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2015

Quantifying Spatial Correlations of General Quantum Dynamics

Understanding the role of correlations in quantum systems is both a fundamental challenge as well as of high practical relevance for the control of multi-particle quantum systems. Whereas a lot of research has been devoted to study the various types of correlations that can be present in the states of quantum systems, in this work we introduce a general and rigorous method to quantify the amount of correlations in the dynamics of quantum systems. Using a resource-theoretical approach, we introduce a suitable quantifier and characterize the properties of correlated dynamics. Furthermore, we benchmark our method by applying it to the paradigmatic case of two atoms weakly coupled to the electromagnetic radiation field, and illustrate its potential use to detect and assess spatial noise correlations in quantum computing architectures.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2014

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.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2013

SU(2)-invariant depolarization of quantum states of light

We develop an SU(2)-invariant approach to the depolarization of quantum systems as the effect of random unitary SU(2) transformations. From it we derive an SU(2)-invariant Markovian master equation. This is applied to several quantum states examining whether nonclassical states are more sensible to depolarization than the classical ones. Furthermore, we show that this depolarization model provides a nontrivial generalization of depolarization channels to states of arbitrary dimension.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2013

Vanishing quantum discord is not necessary for completely-positive maps

The description of the dynamics of a system that may be correlated with its environment is only meaningful within the context of a specific framework. Different frameworks rely upon different assumptions about the initial system-environment state. We reexamine the connections between complete-positivity and quantum discord within two different sets of assumptions about the relevant family of initial states. We present an example of a system-environment state with non-vanishing quantum discord that leads to a completely-positive map. This invalidates an earlier claim on the necessity of vanishing quantum discord for completely-positive maps. In our final remarks we discuss the physical validity of each approach.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2013

Dynamics of Thermal Effects in the Spin-Wave Theory of Quantum Antiferromagnets

We derive a master equation that allows us to study non-equilibrium dynamics of a quantum antiferromagnet. By resorting to spin-wave theory, we obtain a closed analytic form for the magnon decay rates. These turn out to be closely related to form factors, which are experimentally accessible by means of neutron and Raman scattering. Furthermore, we compute the time evolution of the staggered magnetization showing that, for moderate temperatures, the magnetic order is not spoiled even if the coupling is fully isotropic.

cond-mat.str-el↗
arXiv2012

Sub-Heisenberg estimation of non-random phase-shifts

We provide evidence that the uncertainty in detection of small and deterministic phase-shift deviations from a working point can be lower than the Heisenberg bound, for fixed finite mean number of photons. We achieve that by exploiting non-linearity of estimators and coherence with the vacuum.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

Non-Markovianity assisted Steady State Entanglement

We analyze the steady state entanglement generated in a coherently coupled dimer system subject to dephasing noise as a function of the degree of Markovianity of the evolution. By keeping fixed the effective noise strength while varying the memory time of the environment, we demonstrate that non-Markovianity is an essential, quantifiable resource that may support the formation of steady state entanglement whereas purely Markovian dynamics governed by Lindblad master equations lead to separable steady states. This result illustrates possible mechanisms leading to long-lived entanglement in purely decohering, possibly local, environments. We present a feasible experimental demonstration of this noise assisted phenomenon using a system of trapped ions.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2012

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.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2011

Angular-momentum nonclassicality by breaking classical bounds on statistics

We derive simple practical procedures revealing the quantum behavior of angular momentum variables by the violation of classical upper bounds on the statistics. Data analysis is minimum and definite conclusions are obtained without evaluation of moments, or any other more sophisticated procedures. These nonclassical tests are very general and independent of other typical quantum signatures of nonclassical behavior such as sub-Poissonian statistics, squeezing, or oscillatory statistics, being insensitive to the nonclassical behavior displayed by other variables.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2011

Independent nonclassical tests for states and measurements in the same experiment

We show that one single experiment can test simultaneously and independently both the nonclassicality of states and measurements by the violation or fulfillment of classical bounds on the statistics. Nonideal measurements affected by imperfections can be characterized by two bounds depending on whether we test the ideal measurement or the real one.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2011

On measures of non-Markovianity: divisibility vs. backflow of information

We analyze two recently proposed measures of non-Markovianity: one based on the concept of divisibility of the dynamical map and the other one based on distinguishability of quantum states. We provide a toy model to show that these two measures need not agree. In addition, we discuss possible generalizations and intricate relations between these measures.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

Markovian Master Equations: A Critical Study

We derive Markovian master equations of single and interacting harmonic systems in different scenarios, including strong internal coupling. By comparing the dynamics resulting from the corresponding Markovian master equations with exact numerical simulations of the evolution of the global system, we precisely delimit their validity regimes and assess the robustness of the assumptions usually made in the process of deriving the reduced dynamics. The proposed method is sufficiently general to suggest that the conclusions made here are widely applicable to a large class of settings involving interacting chains subject to a weak interaction with an environment.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

Exact mapping between system-reservoir quantum models and semi-infinite discrete chains using orthogonal polynomials

By using the properties of orthogonal polynomials, we present an exact unitary transformation that maps the Hamiltonian of a quantum system coupled linearly to a continuum of bosonic or fermionic modes to a Hamiltonian that describes a one-dimensional chain with only nearest-neighbour interactions. This analytical transformation predicts a simple set of relations between the parameters of the chain and the recurrence coefficients of the orthogonal polynomials used in the transformation, and allows the chain parameters to be computed using numerically stable algorithms that have been developed to compute recurrence coefficients. We then prove some general properties of this chain system for a wide range of spectral functions, and give examples drawn from physical systems where exact analytic expressions for the chain properties can be obtained. Crucially, the short range interactions of the effective chain system permits these open quantum systems to be efficiently simulated by the density matrix renormalization group methods.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2010

Entanglement and non-Markovianity of quantum evolutions

We address the problem of quantifying the non-Markovian character of quantum time-evolutions of general systems in contact with an environment. We introduce two different measures of non-Markovianity that exploit the specific traits of quantum correlations and are suitable for opposite experimental contexts. When complete tomographic knowledge about the evolution is available, our measure provides a necessary and sufficient condition to quantify strictly the non-Markovianity. In the opposite case, when no information whatsoever is available, we propose a sufficient condition for non-Markovianity. Remarkably, no optimization procedure underlies our derivation, which greatly enhances the practical relevance of the proposed criteria.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2009

Probing a composite spin-boson environment

We consider non-interacting multi-qubit systems as controllable probes of an environment of defects/impurities modelled as a composite spin-boson environment. The spin-boson environment consists of a small number of quantum-coherent two-level fluctuators (TLFs) damped by independent bosonic baths. A master equation of the Lindblad form is derived for the probe-plus-TLF system. We discuss how correlation measurements in the probe system encode information about the environment structure and could be exploited to efficiently discriminate between different experimental preparation techniques, with particular focus on the quantum correlations (entanglement) that build up in the probe as a result of the TLF-mediated interaction. We also investigate the harmful effects of the composite spin-boson environment on initially prepared entangled bipartite qubit states of the probe and on entangling gate operations. Our results offer insights in the area of quantum computation using superconducting devices, where defects/impurities are believed to be a major source of decoherence.

quant-ph↗
arXiv2009

Stochastic resonance phenomena in spin chains

We discuss stochastic resonance-like effects in the context of coupled quantum spin systems. We focus here on an information-theoretic approach and analyze the steady state quantum correlations (entanglement) as well as the global correlations in the system when subject to different forms of local decoherence. In the presence of decay, it has been shown that the system displays quantum correlations only when the noise strength is above a certain threshold. We extend this result to the case of a Heisenberg XYZ exchange interaction and revise and clarify the mechanisms underlying this behaviour. In the presence of pure dephasing, we show that the system always remains separable in the steady state. When both types of noise are present, we show that the system can still exhibit entanglement for long times, provided that the pure dephasing rate is not too large.

quant-ph↗