Floquet states in dissipative open quantum systems

Abstract

We theoretically investigate basic properties of nonequilibrium steady states of periodically-driven open quantum systems based on the full solution of the Maxwell–Bloch equation. In a resonant driving condition, we find that the transverse relaxation, also known as decoherence, significantly destructs the formation of Floquet states while the longitudinal relaxation does not directly affect it. Furthermore, by evaluating the quasienergy spectrum of the nonequilibrium steady states, we demonstrate that Rabi splitting can be observed as long as the decoherence time is as short as one third of the Rabi-cycle. Moreover, we find that Floquet states can be formed even under significant dissipation when the decoherence time is substantially shorter than the cycle of driving, once the driving field strength becomes strong enough. In an off-resonant condition, we demonstrate that the Floquet states can be realized even in weak field regimes because the system is not excited and the decoherence mechanism is not activated. Once the field strength becomes strong enough, the system can be excited by multi-photon absorption and the decoherence process becomes active. As a result, the Floquet states are significantly disturbed by the environment even in the off-resonant condition. Thus, we show here that the suppression of energy transfer from light to matter is a key condition for the realization of Floquet states in both on- and off-resonant conditions not only because it prevents material damage but also because it contributes to preserving coherence.