arXiv subjects

O. Brodier

Publications and source records attributed to O. Brodier.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Semi-classical work and quantum work identities in Weyl representation

We derive a semi-classical nonequilibrium work identity by applying the Wigner-Weyl quantization scheme to the Jarzynski identity for a classical Hamiltonian. This allows us, to the leading order in $\hbar$, to overcome the problem of defining the concept of work in quantum mechanics. We propose a geometric interpretation of this semi-classical relation in terms of trajectories in a complex phase space and illustrate it with the exactly solvable case of the quantum harmonic oscillator.

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arXiv2009

Markovian evolution of Gaussian states in the semiclassical limit

We derive an approximate Gaussian solution of the Lindblad equation in the semiclassical limit, given a general Hamiltonian and linear coupling with the environment. The theory is carried out in the chord representation and describes the evolved quantum characteristic function, which gives direct access to the Wigner function and the position representation of the density operator by Fourier transforms. The propagation is based on a system of non-linear equations taking place in a double phase space, which coincides with Heller's theory of unitary evolution of Gaussian wave packets when the Lindbladian part is zero.

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arXiv2009

Complex WKB Evolution of Markovian Open Systems

We derive a semiclassical approximation for the evolution generated by the Lindblad equation as a generalization of complex WKB theory. Linear coupling to the environment is assumed, but the Hamiltonian can be a general function of positions and momenta. The theory is carried out in the chord representation and describes the evolved quantum characteristic function, which gives direct access to the Wigner function and the position representation of the density operator by Fourier transforms. The propagation is shown to be of Liouville type in a complex double phase space, the imaginary part of the action being responsible for decoherence. The theory is exact in the quadratic case, just as the real WKB theory that we previously developed for the Markovian evolution of extended states, but it also describes the decoherent and dissipative evolution of localized states, such as the interference terms of a Schrödinger cat state. The present rederivation of the real WKB approximation leads to its interpretation as a first order classical perturbation of the complex theory and to a discussion of its validity. The example of a simple cubic Hamiltonian illustrates the various levels of approximation derived from the complex WKB theory.

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arXiv2008

Semiclassical Evolution of Dissipative Markovian Systems

A semiclassical approximation for an evolving density operator, driven by a "closed" hamiltonian operator and "open" markovian Lindblad operators, is obtained. The theory is based on the chord function, i.e. the Fourier transform of the Wigner function. It reduces to an exact solution of the Lindblad master equation if the hamiltonian operator is a quadratic function and the Lindblad operators are linear functions of positions and momenta. Initially, the semiclassical formulae for the case of hermitian Lindblad operators are reinterpreted in terms of a (real) double phase space, generated by an appropriate classical double Hamiltonian. An extra "open" term is added to the double Hamiltonian by the non-hermitian part of the Lindblad operators in the general case of dissipative markovian evolution. The particular case of generic hamiltonian operators, but linear dissipative Lindblad operators, is studied in more detail. A Liouville-type equivariance still holds for the corresponding classical evolution in double phase, but the centre subspace, which supports the Wigner function, is compressed, along with expansion of its conjugate subspace, which supports the chord function. Decoherence narrows the relevant region of double phase space to the neighborhood of a caustic for both the Wigner function and the chord function. This difficulty is avoided by a propagator in a mixed representation, so that a further "small-chord" approximation leads to a simple generalization of the quadratic theory for evolving Wigner functions.

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arXiv2005

On the semiclassical evolution of quantum operators

The Heisenberg evolution of a given unitary operator corresponds classically to a fixed canonical transformation that is viewed through a moving coordinate system. The operators that form the bases of the Weyl representation and its Fourier transform, the chord representation, are, respectively, unitary reflection and translation operators. Thus, the general semiclassical study of unitary operators allows us to propagate arbitrary operators, including density operators, i.e. the Wigner function. The various propagation kernels are different representations of the superoperators which act on the space of operators of a closed quantum system. We here present the mixed semiclassical propagator, that takes translation chords to reflection centres, or vice versa. In contrast to the centre-centre propagator that directly evolves Wigner functions, it is guaranteed to be caustic free, having a simple WKB-like universal form for a finite time, whatever the number of degrees of freedom. Special attention is given to the near-classical region of small chords, since this dominates the averages of observables evaluated through the Wigner function.

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arXiv2004

Symplectic evolution of Wigner functions in markovian open systems

The Wigner function is known to evolve classically under the exclusive action of a quadratic hamiltonian. If the system does interact with the environment through Lindblad operators that are linear functions of position and momentum, we show that the general evolution is the convolution of the classically evolving Wigner function with a phase space gaussian that broadens in time. We analyze the three generic cases of elliptic, hyperbolic and parabolic Hamiltonians. The Wigner function always becomes positive in a definite time, which is shortest in the hyperbolic case. We also derive an exact formula for the evolving linear entropy as the average of a narrowing gaussian taken over a probability distribution that depends only on the initial state. This leads to a long time asymptotic formula for the growth of linear entropy.

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arXiv2003

Parity Measurements, Decoherence and Spiky Wigner Functions

Notwithstanding radical conceptual differences between classical and quantum mechanics, it is usually assumed that physical measurements concern observables common to both theories . Not so with the eigenvalues ($\pm 1$) of the parity operator. The effect of such a measurement on a mixture of even and odd states of the harmonic oscillator is akin to separating at a single stroke a pair of shuffled card decks: the result is a set of definite parity, though otherwise mixed. The Wigner function should be a sensitive probe for this phenomenon, for it can be interpreted as the expectation value of the parity operator. We here derive the general form of Wigner functions $W_{\pm}$, resulting from an ideal parity measurement on $W(\x)$. Even if $W(\x)$ resembles a classical distribution, $W_{\pm}$ displays a quantum spike, which is positive for $W_+$ and negative for $W_-$. However we conjecture that $W_+$ always has negative values.

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