arXiv subjects

Todd A. Brun

Publications and source records attributed to Todd A. Brun.

134 records · Page 8Linked to original sources

arXiv1996

From Quantum to Classical: the Quantum State Diffusion Model

Quantum mechanics is nonlocal. Classical mechanics is local. Consequently classical mechanics can not explain all quantum phenomena. Conversely, it is cumbersome to use quantum mechanics to describe classical phenomena. Not only are the computations more complex, but - and this is the main point - it is conceptually more difficult: one has to argue that nonlocality, entanglement and the principle of superposition can be set aside when crossing the "quantum $\rightarrow$ classical" border. Clearly, nonlocality, entanglement and the principle of superposition should become irrelevant in the classical limit. But why should one argue? Shouldn't it just come out of the equations? Does it come out of the equations? This contribution is about the last question. And the answer is: "it depends on which equation".

quant-ph↗

arXiv1996

A C++ library using quantum trajectories to solve quantum master equations

Quantum trajectory methods can be used for a wide range of open quantum systems to solve the master equation by unraveling the density operator evolution into individual stochastic trajectories in Hilbert space. This C++ class library offers a choice of integration algorithms for three important unravelings of the master equation. Different physical systems are modeled by different Hamiltonians and environment operators. The program achieves flexibility and user friendliness, without sacrificing execution speed, through the way it represents operators and states in Hilbert space. Primary operators, implemented in the form of simple routines acting on single degrees of freedom, can be used to build up arbitrarily complex operators in product Hilbert spaces with arbitrary numbers of components. Standard algebraic notation is used to build operators and to perform arithmetic operations on operators and states. States can be represented in a local moving basis, often leading to dramatic savings of computing resources. The state and operator classes are very general and can be used independently of the quantum trajectory algorithms. Only a rudimentary knowledge of C++ is required to use this package.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1996

Quantum State Diffusion and Time Correlation Functions

In computing the spectra of quantum mechanical systems one encounters the Fourier transforms of time correlation functions, as given by the quantum regression theorem for systems described by master equations. Quantum state diffusion (QSD) gives a useful method of solving these problems by unraveling the master equation into stochastic trajectories; but there is no generally accepted definition of a time correlation function for a single QSD trajectory. In this paper we show how QSD can be used to calculate these spectra directly; by formally solving the equations which arise, we arrive at a natural definition for a two-time correlation function in QSD, which depends explicitly on both the stochastic noise of the particular trajectory and the time of measurement, and which agrees in the mean with the ensemble average definition of correlation functions.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1996

Quantum chaos in open systems: a quantum state diffusion analysis

Except for the universe, all quantum systems are open, and according to quantum state diffusion theory, many systems localize to wave packets in the neighborhood of phase space points. This is due to decoherence from the interaction with the environment, and makes the quasiclassical limit of such systems both more realistic and simpler in many respects than the more familiar quasiclassical limit for closed systems. A linearized version of this theory leads to the correct classical dynamics in the macroscopic limit, even for nonlinear and chaotic systems. We apply the theory to the forced, damped Duffing oscillator, comparing the numerical results of the full and linearized equations, and argue that this can be used to make explicit calculations in the decoherent histories formalism of quantum mechanics.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1995

An Example of the Decoherence Approach to Quantum Dissipative Chaos

Quantum chaos---the study of quantized nonintegrable Hamiltonian systems---is an extremely well-developed and sophisticated field. By contrast, very little work has been done in looking at quantum versions of systems which classically exhibit {\it dissipative} chaos. Using the decoherence formalism of Gell-Mann and Hartle, I find a quantum mechanical analog of one such system, the forced damped Duffing oscillator. I demonstrate the classical limit of the system, and discuss its decoherent histories. I show that using decoherent histories, one can define not only the quantum map of an entire density operator, but can find an analog to the Poincaré map of the individual trajectory. Finally, I argue the usefulness of this model as an example of quantum dissipative chaos, as well as of a practical application of the decoherence formalism to an interesting problem.

quant-ph↗

arXiv1994

The Decoherence of Phase Space Histories

In choosing a family of histories for a system, it is often convenient to choose a succession of locations in phase space, rather than configuration space, for comparison to classical histories. Although there are no good projections onto phase space, several approximate projections have been used in the past; three of these are examined in this paper. Expressions are derived for the probabilities of histories containing arbitrary numbers of projections onto phase space, and the conditions for the decoherence of these histories are studied.

gr-qc↗

arXiv1993

Quantum Dissipative Chaos

Using the decoherence formalism of Gell-Mann and Hartle, a quantum system is found which is the equivalent of the classical chaotic Duffing oscillator. The similarities and the differences from the classical oscillator are examined; in particular, a new concept of quantum maps is introduced, and alterations in the classical strange attractor due to the presence of scale- dependent quantum effects are studied. Classical quantities such as the Lyapunov exponents and fractal dimension are examined, and quantum analogs are suggested. These results are generalized into a framework for quantum dissipative chaos, and there is a brief discussion of other work in this area.

chao-dyn↗

arXiv1993

Quasiclassical Equations of Motion for Nonlinear Brownian Systems

Following the formalism of Gell-Mann and Hartle, phenomenological equations of motion are derived from the decoherence functional formalism of quantum mechanics, using a path-integral description. This is done explicitly for the case of a system interacting with a ``bath'' of harmonic oscillators whose individual motions are neglected. The results are compared to the equations derived from the purely classical theory. The case of linear interactions is treated exactly, and nonlinear interactions are compared using classical and quantum perturbation theory.

gr-qc↗