Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1201.5987 · Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Markovianity criteria for quantum evolution

Dariusz Chruściński, Andrzej Kossakowski

Published Jul 30, 2012• 54 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We characterize a class of Markovian dynamics using the concept of a divisible dynamical map. Moreover, we provide a family of criteria which can distinguish Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics. These Markovianity criteria are based on a simple observation that Markovian dynamics implies monotonic behaviour of several well-known quantities such as distinguishability of states, fidelity, relative entropy and genuine entanglement measures.

DOI
10.1088/0953-4075/45/15/154002

Related papers

Characterizing non-Markovian quantum evolution

Dariusz Chruściński

We analyze classes of legitimate quantum dynamics using a local in time master equation. Markovian dynamics is characterized in terms of a divisible dynamical map. Moreover, we provide a family of criteria which can distinguish Markovian and non-Markovian quantum evolution. They are based on a simple observation that Markovian dynamics implies monotonic behavior of several well-known quantities such as distinguishability of states, fidelity and relative entropy.

Physica Scripta•Mar 1, 2013•0 citations

MARKOVIAN VERSUS NON-MARKOVIAN EVOLUTION: GEOMETRIC PERSPECTIVE

Dariusz Chruściński, Andrzej Kossakowski

We analyze two criteria of (non)Markovianity: one based on the mathematical concept of divisibility of the dynamical map and the other one based on distinguishability of quantum states. We illustrate these concepts from the geometric perspective using simple examples of qubit dynamics.

International Journal of Geometric Methods in Modern Physics•Mar 1, 2012•0 citations

Lecture notes on classical and quantum non-Markovianity

Graeme Pleasance

The study of non-Markovian quantum processes has attracted significant interest in recent decades, giving rise to several competing notions of quantum non-Markovianity. These notes serve as an introduction to the topic for graduate students familiar with quantum mechanics and probability theory. Owing to the vastness of the literature, we focus on two prominent characterizations of quantum Markovianity based on the divisibility of quantum channels and monotonically decreasing state distinguishability. The correspondence between classical concepts (stochastic matrices, Chapman-Kolmogorov equation) and their quantum analogs (dynamical maps, CP-divisibility) is emphasized throughout.

quant-pharXiv:2607.07332•Canadian Journal of Physics•Jul 9, 2026•0 citations

How rare are Markovian quantum dynamics?

Charlotte Bäcker, Nick Maryshchak, Walter T. Strunz

A profound understanding of decoherence and dissipation in quantum dynamics is crucial for the realistic modeling of the evolution of quantum systems. In open quantum dynamics one distinguishes between a memoryless, so-called Markovian evolution and dynamics incorporating memory effects, termed non-Markovian. In this work we study how prevalent memory effects are in the set of all such dynamics. We thus investigate how often a Markovian description is applicable. This question is approached by investigating randomly generated two-step qubit dynamics with respect to different concepts and witnesses of non-Markovianity. We observe that almost all dynamics are non-Markovian, and only a small (yet finite) fraction is Markovian. Furthermore, we study how this proportion changes when considering certain subclasses such as lower rank or mixed-unitary dynamics. Importantly, our results shed light on the relative ratios of -- and interrelations between -- the sets of dynamics that are non-Markovian with respect to different criteria. Finally, we investigate the fraction of dynamics in which the memory effects are necessarily of quantum nature and establish a connection between two recently developed concepts that characterize the quantumness of memory in non-Markovian dynamics.

quant-pharXiv:2606.24511•Jun 24, 2026•0 citations

Quantum entropy and non-Markovian evolution

Paolo Aniello, Joonwoo Bae, Dariusz Chruściński

Entropy, and its temporal evolution, play a central role in the foundations of quantum theory and in modern quantum technologies. Here we study, in particular, the relations between the --- in general, non-Markovian --- evolution of an open quantum system, the notions of divisibility of a dynamical map and of distinguishability of quantum states, and the temporal behaviour of various entropy-related quantities such as the Renyi (and sandwiched Renyi) divergences, and the so-called min- and max- conditional entropies. This, in turn, gives rise to an operational meaning of (non-)Markovianity.

arXiv:1809.06133•Sep 17, 2018•2 citations

Genuine and Non-Genuine Quantum Non-Markovianity: A Unified Information-Theoretic Review

Rajeev Gangwar, Ujjwal Sen

Understanding whether the features of open quantum dynamics are genuinely quantum remains a central challenge in quantum dynamics. Even though the non-Markovian behavior of quantum dynamics has been widely investigated across different settings, there is still no consensus on which properties of a dynamics reflect genuine quantum features and which arise from classical or non-genuine quantum sources. In this review, we provide detailed information on recent developments in characterizing quantum non-Markovianity based on information backflow and the nature of its origin. We also present a survey on how various approaches separate classical and quantum contributions, as well as how they define operational tasks that reveal genuine quantum non-Markovianity. We analyze several frameworks, including state-distinguishability -based, channel-based (``CP-divisibility''), and process-tensor methods. For each framework, we outline the underlying physical motivation, the criteria proposed to distinguish genuine quantum non-Markovianity from practical or apparent memory effects. We further compare different approaches and their strengths and limitations. The review aims to clarify the conceptual and operational aspects of quantum non-Markovian processes based on their nature and to provide a foundation for future research on quantum non-Markovianity and its role in advancing quantum information science and technology.

quant-pharXiv:2603.28277•Mar 31, 2026•0 citations
We characterize a class of Markovian dynamics using the concept of a divisible dynamical map. Moreover, we provide a family of criteria which can distinguish Markovian and non-Markovian dynamics. These Markovianity criteria are based on a simple observation that Markovian dynamics implies monotonic behaviour of several well-known quantities such as distinguishability of states, fidelity, relative entropy and genuine entanglement measures.
The study of non-Markovian quantum processes has attracted significant interest in recent decades, giving rise to several competing notions of quantum non-Markovianity. These notes serve as an introduction to the topic for graduate students familiar with quantum mechanics and probability theory. Owing to the vastness of the literature, we focus on two prominent characterizations of quantum Markovianity based on the divisibility of quantum channels and monotonically decreasing state distinguishability. The correspondence between classical concepts (stochastic matrices, Chapman-Kolmogorov equation) and their quantum analogs (dynamical maps, CP-divisibility) is emphasized throughout.
A profound understanding of decoherence and dissipation in quantum dynamics is crucial for the realistic modeling of the evolution of quantum systems. In open quantum dynamics one distinguishes between a memoryless, so-called Markovian evolution and dynamics incorporating memory effects, termed non-Markovian. In this work we study how prevalent memory effects are in the set of all such dynamics. We thus investigate how often a Markovian description is applicable. This question is approached by investigating randomly generated two-step qubit dynamics with respect to different concepts and witnesses of non-Markovianity. We observe that almost all dynamics are non-Markovian, and only a small (yet finite) fraction is Markovian. Furthermore, we study how this proportion changes when considering certain subclasses such as lower rank or mixed-unitary dynamics. Importantly, our results shed light on the relative ratios of -- and interrelations between -- the sets of dynamics that are non-Markovian with respect to different criteria. Finally, we investigate the fraction of dynamics in which the memory effects are necessarily of quantum nature and establish a connection between two recently developed concepts that characterize the quantumness of memory in non-Markovian dynamics.
Entropy, and its temporal evolution, play a central role in the foundations of quantum theory and in modern quantum technologies. Here we study, in particular, the relations between the --- in general, non-Markovian --- evolution of an open quantum system, the notions of divisibility of a dynamical map and of distinguishability of quantum states, and the temporal behaviour of various entropy-related quantities such as the Renyi (and sandwiched Renyi) divergences, and the so-called min- and max- conditional entropies. This, in turn, gives rise to an operational meaning of (non-)Markovianity.
Understanding whether the features of open quantum dynamics are genuinely quantum remains a central challenge in quantum dynamics. Even though the non-Markovian behavior of quantum dynamics has been widely investigated across different settings, there is still no consensus on which properties of a dynamics reflect genuine quantum features and which arise from classical or non-genuine quantum sources. In this review, we provide detailed information on recent developments in characterizing quantum non-Markovianity based on information backflow and the nature of its origin. We also present a survey on how various approaches separate classical and quantum contributions, as well as how they define operational tasks that reveal genuine quantum non-Markovianity. We analyze several frameworks, including state-distinguishability -based, channel-based (``CP-divisibility''), and process-tensor methods. For each framework, we outline the underlying physical motivation, the criteria proposed to distinguish genuine quantum non-Markovianity from practical or apparent memory effects. We further compare different approaches and their strengths and limitations. The review aims to clarify the conceptual and operational aspects of quantum non-Markovian processes based on their nature and to provide a foundation for future research on quantum non-Markovianity and its role in advancing quantum information science and technology.