Stochastic entropy production for continuous measurements of an open quantum system

TY - JOUR

T1 - Stochastic entropy production for continuous measurements of an open quantum system

AU - Matos, Daniel

AU - Kantorovich, Lev

AU - Ford, Ian

PY - 2022/12/8

Y1 - 2022/12/8

N2 - We investigate the total stochastic entropy production of a two-level bosonic open quantum system under protocols of time dependent coupling to a harmonic environment. These processes are intended to represent the measurement of a system observable, and consequent selection of an eigenstate, whilst the system is also subjected to thermalising environmental noise. The entropy production depends on the evolution of the system variables and their probability density function, and is expressed through system and environmental contributions. The continuous stochastic dynamics of the open system is based on the Markovian approximation to the exact, noise-averaged stochastic Liouville-von Neumann equation, unravelled through the addition of stochastic environ- mental disturbance mimicking a measuring device. Under the thermalising influence of time independent coupling to the environment, the mean rate of entropy production vanishes asymptotically, indicating equilibrium. In contrast, a positive mean production of entropy as the system responds to time dependent coupling characterises the irreversibility of quantum measure- ment, and a comparison of its production for two coupling protocols, representing connection to and disconnection from the external measuring device, satisfies a detailed fluctuation theorem.

AB - We investigate the total stochastic entropy production of a two-level bosonic open quantum system under protocols of time dependent coupling to a harmonic environment. These processes are intended to represent the measurement of a system observable, and consequent selection of an eigenstate, whilst the system is also subjected to thermalising environmental noise. The entropy production depends on the evolution of the system variables and their probability density function, and is expressed through system and environmental contributions. The continuous stochastic dynamics of the open system is based on the Markovian approximation to the exact, noise-averaged stochastic Liouville-von Neumann equation, unravelled through the addition of stochastic environ- mental disturbance mimicking a measuring device. Under the thermalising influence of time independent coupling to the environment, the mean rate of entropy production vanishes asymptotically, indicating equilibrium. In contrast, a positive mean production of entropy as the system responds to time dependent coupling characterises the irreversibility of quantum measure- ment, and a comparison of its production for two coupling protocols, representing connection to and disconnection from the external measuring device, satisfies a detailed fluctuation theorem.

U2 - 10.1088/2399-6528/aca742

DO - 10.1088/2399-6528/aca742

M3 - Article

VL - 6

JO - Journal of Physics Communications

JF - Journal of Physics Communications

M1 - 125003

ER -