Efficient real-time path integrals for non-Markovian spin-boson models

Strathearn, A and Lovett, B W and Kirton, P (2017) Efficient real-time path integrals for non-Markovian spin-boson models. New Journal of Physics, 19 (9). 093009. ISSN 1367-2630 (https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aa8744)

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Abstract

Strong coupling between a system and its environment leads to the emergence of non-Markovian dynamics, which cannot be described by a time-local master equation. One way to capture such dynamics is to use numerical real-time path integrals, where assuming a finite bath memory time enables manageable simulation scaling. However, by comparing to the exactly soluble independent boson model, we show that the presence of transient negative decay rates in the exact dynamics can result in simulations with unphysical exponential growth of density matrix elements when the finite memory approximation is used. We therefore reformulate this approximation in such a way that the exact dynamics are reproduced identically and then apply our new method to the spin-boson model with superohmic environmental coupling, commonly used to model phonon environments, but which cannot be solved exactly. Our new method allows us to easily access parameter regimes where we find revivals in population dynamics which are due to non-Markovian backflow of information from the bath to the system.

ORCID iDs

Strathearn, A, Lovett, B W and Kirton, P ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3915-1098;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:71388
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    14 September 2017
    Published
    21 August 2017
    Accepted
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Pure Administrator
    Date deposited:07 Feb 2020 10:24
    Last modified:11 Nov 2024 12:35
    Related URLs:
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/71388
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