When a quantum system interacts with many other quantum mechanical objects, the behaviour of the system is strongly affected; this is referred to as an open quantum system (OQS). Since the inception of quantum theory the development of OQSs has been synonymous with realistic descriptions of quantum mechanical models. With recent activity in the advancement of quantum technologies, there has been vested interest in manipulating OQSs. Therefore understanding and controlling environmental effects, by structuring environments, has become an important field. The method of choice for tackling OQSs is the master equation approach, which requires approximations and doesn't allow direct assessment of the environment. This thesis tackles the issues of OQSs with an unorthodox method; we employ a series of coupled quantum harmonic oscillators to simulate an OQS. This permits the use of the covariance matrix technique which allows us to avoid approximations and analyse the environment modes. We investigate the Markov approximation and Rotating-Wave approximation (RWA), which are commonly used in the field. By considering four OQS models, we study an entanglement-based non-Markovian behaviour (NMB) quantifier (ENMBQ). The relevance of detuning, coupling strength and bath structures in determining the amount of NMB is noted. A brief study of the factors that affect a fidelity-based NMB quantifier is also conducted. We also analyse the effect on the ENMBQ if the terms excluded by the RWA are included in the models. Finally, an examination of the applicability of the RWA in the presence of strong coupling is undertaken in a three oscillator model. The fidelity-based analysis utilised could allow one to ascertain when and if the RWA can be applied to a model of interest, including OQSs. The knowledge within, and the methodology used throughout this thesis, could arm researchers with insights to control the flow of quantum information in their systems.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:682080 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Venkataraman, Vignesh |
| Contributors | Kim, Myungshik |
| Publisher | Imperial College London |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/10044/1/30715 |
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