Quantum systems with a finite Hilbert space, where position x and momen- tum p take values in Z(d) (integers modulo d), are studied. An analytic representation of finite quantum systems is considered. Quantum states are represented by analytic functions on a torus. This function has exactly d zeros, which define uniquely the quantum state. The analytic function of a state can be constructed using its zeros. As the system evolves in time, the d zeros follow d paths on the torus. Examples of the paths ³n(t) of the zeros, for various Hamiltonians, are given. In addition, for given paths ³n(t) of the d zeros, the Hamiltonian is calculated. Furthermore, periodic finite quantum systems are considered. Special cases where M of the zeros follow the same path are also studied, and general ideas are demonstrated with several ex- amples. Examples of the path with multiplicity M = 1; 2; 3; 4; 5 are given. It is evidenced within the study that a small perturbation of the initial values of the zeros splits a path with multiplicity M into M different paths.

Correlations and entanglement in a chain of three oscillators A,B,C with nearest neighbour coupling is studied. Oscillators A,B and B,C are coupled but there is no direct coupling between oscillators A,C. Examples with initial factorizable states are considered, and the time evolution is calculated. It is shown that the dynamics of the tri-partite system creates correlations and entanglement among the three oscillators and in particular, between oscillators A,C which are not coupled directly. We have performed photon number selective and non-selective measurements on oscillator A and we investigated their effects on the correlations and entanglement. It is shown that, before the measurement, the correlations between oscillators A,C can be stronger than the correlations of oscillators A,B. Moreover, some entanglement witness shows that oscillators A,C are entangled but the oscillators A,B might or might not be entangled. By using quantum discord, which measures the quantumness of correlations, it is shown that there are quantum correlations between oscillators A,B and after the measurements in both cases of selective and non-selective measurements, oscillators A,B and A,C become classically correlated.

This thesis is concerned with modelling the dynamics of open quantum systems in several different contexts. Of principal interest is the manner in which the environment can modify, or even dominate, a system’s quantum behaviour in order to facilitate the transport of energetic excitations. In the first research chapter, a time-local, non-Markovian quantum master equation is derived in a variationally defined reference frame, for networks of two-level systems coupled to bosonic environments. The predictions of this master equation are then compared with those derived using both weak-coupling and polaron approximations. The variational master equation is found to agree with these standard approaches in their regimes of validity, whilst interpolating between them in intermediate parameter regimes. The second research chapter focusses on the dynamics of a superconducting double quantum dot embedded in a resonant circuit. The device is considered in a regime where the ground state consists of a coherent spatial superposition of a single Cooper pair, which can be excited by a variety of interactions with the environment. The relevant transition rates are calculated and the processes responsible are identified. A numerical simulation of the system is then used to explain experimental data, and show that for certain parameters a significant fraction of excitations occur via absorption of photons from the environment. The final chapter considers a model for an olfactory receptor, in which odorant molecules are recognised by their vibrational modes. Electron transfer occurs in the receptor, dependent on the presence of a vibrational mode of the right frequency. A quantum master equation for the system is derived, and the resulting dynamics is compared to earlier semi-classical treatments. The behaviour of the receptor is found to be sensitive not only to the frequency of the vibrational mode, but also to the character of the surrounding environment. Increased dissipation on the odorant mode, as well as the presence of higher frequencies in the environment is found to improve the frequency resolution of the receptor.

This dissertation discusses a number of theoretical models of coupled bosonic modes, all closely related to the Bose-Hubbard dimer. In studying these models, we will repeatedly return to two unifying themes: the classical structure underlying quantum dynamics and the impact of weakly coupling a system to an environment. Or, more succinctly, semiclassical methods and open quantum systems. Our primary motivation for studying models such as the Bose-Hubbard is their relevance to ongoing ultracold atom experiments. We review these experiments, derive the Bose-Hubbard model in their context and briefly discuss its limitations in the first half of Chapter 1. In its second half, we review the theory of open quantum systems and the master equation description of the dissipative Bose-Hubbard model. This opening chapter constitutes a survey of existing results, rather than original work. In Chapter 2, we turn to the mean-field limit of the Bose-Hubbard model. After reviewing the striking localization phenomena predicted by the mean-field (and confirmed by experiment), we identify the first corrections to this picture for the dimer. The most interesting of these is the dynamical tunneling between the self-trapping points of the mean-field. We derive an accurate analytical expression for the tunneling rate using semiclassical techniques. We continue studying the dynamics near the self-trapping fixed points in Chapter 3, focusing on corrections to the mean-field that arise at larger nonlinearities and on shorter time scales than dynamical tunneling. We study the impact of dissipation on coherence and entanglement near the fixed points, and explain it in terms of the structure of the classical phase space. The last chapter of the dissertation is also devoted to a dissipative bosonic dimer model, but one arising in a very different physical context. Abandoning optical lattices, we consider the problem of formulating a quantum model of operation of the cylindrical anode magnetron, a vacuum tube crossed-field microwave amplifier. We derive an effective dissipative dimer model and study its relationship to the classical description. Our dimer model is a first step towards the analysis of solid-state analogs of such devices.

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There are several reasons why exotic and artificial atoms attract the interest of different scientific communities.In exotic atoms, matter and antimatter can coexist for surprisingly long times. Thus, they present a unique natural laboratory for high precision antimatter studies. In artificial atoms, electrons can be confined in an externally controlled way. This aspect is crucial, as it opens new possibilities for high precision measurements and also makes artificial atoms promising potential candidates for qubits, i.e. the essential bricks for quantum computation.The first part of the thesis presents theoretical studies of resonant states in antiprotonic atoms and spherical two-electron quantum dots, where well established techniques, frequently used for conventional atomic systems, can be applied after moderate modifications. In the framework of Markovian master equations, it is then demonstrated that systems containing resonant states can be approached as open systems in which the resonance width determines the environmental coupling. The second part of the thesis focuses on possible quantum computational aspects of two kinds of artificial atoms, quantum dots and Penning traps. Environmentally induced decoherence, the main obstacle for a practical realization of a quantum computer based on these devices, is studied within a simple phenomenological model. As a result, the dependence of the decoherence timescales on the temperature of the heat bath and environmental scattering rates is obtained.

This thesis investigates several different aspects of the physics of few state quantum systems and their use in information processing applications. The main focus is performing high precision computations or experiments using imperfect quantum systems. Specifically looking at methods to calibrate a quantum system once it has been manufactured or performing useful tasks, using a quantum system with only limited spatial or temporal coherence. / A novel method for characterising an unknown two-state Hamiltonian is presented which is based on the measurement of coherent oscillations. The method is subsequently extended to include the effects of decoherence and enable the estimation of uncertainties. Using the uncertainty estimates, the achievable precision for a given number of measurements is computed. This method is tested experimentally using the nitrogen-vacancy defect in diamond as an example of a two-state quantum system of interest for quantum information processing. The method of characterisation is extended to higher dimensional systems and this is illustrated using the Heisenberg interaction between spins as an example. / The use of buried donors in silicon is investigated as an architecture for realising quantum-dot cellular automata as an example of quantum systems used for classical information processing. The interaction strengths and time scales are calculated and both coherent and incoherent evolution are assessed as possible switching mechanisms. The effects of decoherence on the operation of a single cell and the scaling behaviour of a line of cells is investigated. / The use of type-II quantum computers for simulating classical systems is studied as an application of small scale quantum computing. An algorithm is developed for simulating the classical Ising model using Metropolis Monte-Carlo where random number generation is incorporated using quantum superposition. This suggests that several new algorithms could be developed for a type-II quantum computer based on probabilistic cellular automata.

There has being an enormous work on finite quantum systems with variables in Zd, especially on mutually unbiased bases. The reason for this is due to its wide areas of application. We focus on partial ordering of weak mutually un-biased bases. In it, we studied a partial ordered relation which exists between a subsystem ^(q) and a larger system ^(d) and also, between a subgeometry Gq and larger geometry Gd. Furthermore, we show an isomorphism between: (i) the set {Gd} of subgeometries of a finite geometry Gd and subsets of the set {D(d)} of divisors of d. (ii) the set {hd} of subspaces of a finite Hilbert space Hd and subsets of the set {D(d)} of divisors of d. (iii) the set {Y(d)} of subsystems of a finite quantum system ^(d) and subsets of the set {D(d)} of divisors of d. We conclude this work by showing a duality between lines in finite geometry Gd and weak mutually unbiased bases in finite dimensional Hilbert space Hd.

Quantum systems in a d-dimensional Hilbert space are considered, where the phase spase is Z(d) x Z(d). An analytic representation in a cell S in the complex plane using Theta functions, is defined. The analytic functions have exactly d zeros in a cell S. The reproducing kernel plays a central role in this formalism. Wigner and Weyl functions are also studied. Quantum systems with positions in a circle S and momenta in Z are also studied. An analytic representation in a strip A in the complex plane is also defined. Coherent states on a circle are studied. The reproducing kernel is given. Wigner and Weyl functions are considered.

We investigate the some of the many subtleties in taking a microscopic approach to modelling the decoherence of an Open Quantum System. We use the RF-SQUID, which will be referred to as a simply a SQUID throughout this paper, as a non-linear example and consider different levels of approximation, with varied coupling, to show the potential consequences that may arise when characterising devices such as superconducting qubits in this manner. We first consider a SQUID inductively coupled to an Ohmic bath and derive a Lindblad master equation, to first and second order in the Baker-Campbell-Hausdorff expansion of the correlation-time-dependent flux operator. We then consider a SQUID both inductively and capacitively coupled to an Ohmic bath and derive a Lindblad master equation to better understand the effect of parasitic capacitance whilst shedding more light on the additions, cancellations and renormalisations that are attributed to a microscopic approach.