Stochastic wave-function method for non-Markovian quantum master equations

Abstract

A generalization of the stochastic wave function method to quantum master equations which are not in Lindblad form is developed. The proposed stochastic unravelling is based on a description of the reduced system in a doubled Hilbert space and it is shown, that this method is capable of simulating quantum master equations with negative transition rates. Non-Markovian effects in the reduced systems dynamics can be treated within this approach by employing the time-convolutionless projection operator technique. This ansatz yields a systematic perturbative expansion of the reduced systems dynamics in the coupling strength. Several examples such as the damped Jaynes Cummings model and the spontaneous decay of a two-level system into a photonic band gap are discussed. The power as well as the limitations of the method are demonstrated.