Transition path and interface sampling of stochastic Schrödinger dynamics.

Area of Science:

• Quantum Physics
• Statistical Mechanics
• Computational Chemistry

Background:

• Markovian open quantum systems are fundamental in understanding complex quantum dynamics.
• Rare transitions in these systems are crucial for processes like chemical reactions and quantum computing.
• Stochastic Schrödinger dynamics are used to model quantum systems interacting with an environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend transition path and interface sampling methods to stochastic Schrödinger dynamics.
• To investigate rare event transition mechanisms in open quantum systems.
• To quantitatively measure rate constants for these rare transitions.

Main Methods:

• Application of transition path and interface sampling techniques.
• Generation of trajectories using stochastic Schrödinger dynamics.
• Analysis of quantum Brownian motion in a quartic double-well potential coupled to a bath.

Main Results:

• Successfully applied interface and path sampling to stochastic Schrödinger equations.
• Identified significant departures from the Arrhenius law at low temperatures.
• Observed the influence of an anti-Zeno effect on transition rates.

Conclusions:

• Transition path and interface sampling are effective for studying rare events in quantum systems.
• Quantum effects, specifically the anti-Zeno effect, significantly alter transition dynamics at low temperatures.
• The study provides a quantitative framework for understanding rare transitions in noisy quantum systems.