Nonlinear Quantum Dynamics

The method of restricted path integrals allows one to effectively consider continuous (prolonged in time) measurements of quantum systems. Monitoring of the system coordinates is such a continuous measurement that allows one to describe a quantum system in terms of trajectories. This approach is applied to chaotic systems. The behavior of such systems is qualitatively investigated in classical and quantum regimes of the coordinate monitoring. The comparison of classical and q...

We review a possible framework for (non)linear quantum theories, into which linear quantum mechanics fits as well, and discuss the notion of ``equivalence'' in this setting. Finally, we draw the attention to persisting severe problems of nonlinear quantum theories.

Quantum dynamics is linear. How do we know? From theory or experiment? The history of this question is reviewed. Nonlinear generalizations of quantum mechanics have been proposed. They predict small but clear nonlinear effects, which very accurate experiments have not seen. Is there a reason in principle why nonlinearity is not found? Is it impossible? Does quantum dynamics have to be linear? Attempts to prove this have not been decisive, because either their assumptions are ...

We discuss the questions: How to compare quantitatively classical chaos with quantum chaos? Which one is stronger? What are the underlying physical reasons?

We discuss the conceptually different definitions used for the non-Markovianity of classical and quantum processes. The well-established definition for non-Markovianity of a classical stochastic process represents a condition on the Kolmogorov hierarchy of the n-point joint probability distributions. Since this definition cannot be transferred to the quantum regime, quantum non-Markovianity has recently been defined and quantified in terms of the underlying quantum dynamical ...

The author calls attention to previous work with related results, which has escaped scrutiny before the publication of the article "Nonlinear quantum evolution with maximal entropy production", Phys.Rev.A63, 022105 (2001).

We present a comprehensive and up to date review on the concept of quantum non-Markovianity, a central theme in the theory of open quantum systems. We introduce the concept of quantum Markovian process as a generalization of the classical definition of Markovianity via the so-called divisibility property and relate this notion to the intuitive idea that links non-Markovianity with the persistence of memory effects. A detailed comparison with other definitions presented in the...

Identifying non-Markovianity with non-divisibility, we propose a measure for non-Markovinity of quantum process. Three examples are presented to illustrate the non-Markovianity, measure for non-Markovianity is calculated and discussed. Comparison with other measures of non-Markovianity is made. Our non-Markovianity measure has the merit that no optimization procedure is required and it is finite for any quantum process, which greatly enhances the practical relevance of the pr...

We introduce a particular nonlinear generalization of quantum mechanics which has the property that it is exactly solvable in terms of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the Hamiltonian of the usual linear quantum mechanics problem. We hope that this simple example will elucidate some of the issues of interpreting nonlinear generalization of quantum mechanics that have been put forth to resolve questions about quantum measurement theory.

Currently, there is no systematic way to describe a quantum process with memory solely in terms of experimentally accessible quantities. However, recent technological advances mean we have control over systems at scales where memory effects are non-negligible. The lack of such an operational description has hindered advances in understanding physical, chemical and biological processes, where often unjustified theoretical assumptions are made to render a dynamical description ...