Quantum Markov Semigroups (QMSs) originally arose in the study of the evolutions of irreversible open quantum systems. Mathematically, they are a generalization of classical Markov semigroups where the underlying function space is replaced by a non-commutative operator algebra. In the case when the QMS is uniformly continuous, theorems due to Lindblad \cite{lindblad}, Stinespring \cite{stinespring}, and Kraus \cite{kraus} imply that the generator of the semigroup has the form $L(A)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}V_n^*AV_n +GA+AG^*$ where $V_n$ and G are elements of the underlying operator algebra. In the present paper we investigate the form of the generators of QMSs which are not necessarily uniformly continuous and act on the bounded operators of a Hilbert space. We prove that the generators of such semigroups have forms that reflect the results of Lindblad and Stinespring. We also make some progress towards forms reflecting Kraus' result. Lastly we look at several examples to clarify our findings and verify that some of the unbounded operators we are using have dense domains.Quantum Markov Semigroups (QMSs) originally arose in the study of the evolutions of irreversible open quantum systems. Mathematically, they are a generalization of classical Markov semigroups where the underlying function space is replaced by a non-commutative operator algebra. In the case when the QMS is uniformly continuous, theorems due to Lindblad \cite{lindblad}, Stinespring \cite{stinespring}, and Kraus \cite{kraus} imply that the generator of the semigroup has the form $$L(A)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}V_n^*AV_n +GA+AG^*$$ where $V_n$ and G are elements of the underlying operator algebra. In the present paper we investigate the form of the generators of QMSs which are not necessarily uniformly continuous and act on the bounded operators of a Hilbert space. We prove that the generators of such semigroups have forms that reflect the results of Lindblad and Stinespring. We also make some progress towards forms reflecting Kraus' result. Lastly we look at several examples to clarify our findings and verify that some of the unbounded operators we are using have dense domains.

Aug 15, 20164 citations

Symmetric Gaussian quantum Markov semigroups

Damiano Poletti, Emanuela Sasso, Veronica Umanità

We investigate symmetric Gaussian Quantum Markov Semigroups (G-QMSs), a class of quantum dynamical semigroups acting on the algebra of bounded operators over a bosonic Fock space, whose generators are given in generalized GKLS form with linear and quadratic terms in canonical operators. Our main goal is to characterize the symmetry of such semigroups with respect to a faithful invariant Gaussian state, in terms of explicit algebraic conditions on the generator’s parameters. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for GNS-symmetry using the action of the semigroup on Weyl operators, and show that under natural assumptions, every symmetric G-QMS is unitarily equivalent to a direct sum of Ornstein–Uhlenbeck-type semigroups. The results are further linked to modular theory by confirming the well-known fact that GNS-symmetry implies commutation with the modular automorphism group. Technical appendices discuss the role of Bogoliubov and metaplectic transformations in simplifying the structure of symmetric semigroups.We investigate symmetric Gaussian Quantum Markov Semigroups (G-QMSs), a class of quantum dynamical semigroups acting on the algebra of bounded operators over a bosonic Fock space, whose generators are given in generalized GKLS form with linear and quadratic terms in canonical operators. Our main goal is to characterize the symmetry of such semigroups with respect to a faithful invariant Gaussian state, in terms of explicit algebraic conditions on the generator’s parameters. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for GNS-symmetry using the action of the semigroup on Weyl operators, and show that under natural assumptions, every symmetric G-QMS is unitarily equivalent to a direct sum of Ornstein–Uhlenbeck-type semigroups. The results are further linked to modular theory by confirming the well-known fact that GNS-symmetry implies commutation with the modular automorphism group. Technical appendices discuss the role of Bogoliubov and metaplectic transformations in simplifying the structure of symmetric semigroups.

Journal of Mathematical PhysicsFeb 1, 20260 citations

On irreducibility of Gaussian quantum Markov semigroups

Franco Fagnola, Damiano Poletti

The generator of a Gaussian quantum Markov semigroup on the algebra of bounded operator on a [Formula: see text]-mode Fock space is represented in a generalized GKLS form with an operator [Formula: see text] quadratic in creation and annihilation operators and Kraus operators [Formula: see text] linear in creation and annihilation operators. Kraus operators, commutators [Formula: see text] and iterated commutators [Formula: see text] up to the order [Formula: see text], as linear combinations of creation and annihilation operators determine a vector in [Formula: see text]. We show that a Gaussian quantum Markov semigroup is irreducible if such vectors generate [Formula: see text], under the technical condition that the domains of [Formula: see text] and the number operator coincide. Conversely, we show that this condition is also necessary if the linear space generated by Kraus operators and their iterated commutator with [Formula: see text] is fully non-commutative.The generator of a Gaussian quantum Markov semigroup on the algebra of bounded operator on a [Formula: see text]-mode Fock space is represented in a generalized GKLS form with an operator [Formula: see text] quadratic in creation and annihilation operators and Kraus operators [Formula: see text] linear in creation and annihilation operators. Kraus operators, commutators [Formula: see text] and iterated commutators [Formula: see text] up to the order [Formula: see text], as linear combinations of creation and annihilation operators determine a vector in [Formula: see text]. We show that a Gaussian quantum Markov semigroup is irreducible if such vectors generate [Formula: see text], under the technical condition that the domains of [Formula: see text] and the number operator coincide. Conversely, we show that this condition is also necessary if the linear space generated by Kraus operators and their iterated commutator with [Formula: see text] is fully non-commutative.

Infinite Dimensional Analysis Quantum Probability and Related TopicsOct 7, 20227 citations

Irreducibility of Quantum Markov Semigroups, uniqueness of invariant states and related properties

Franco Fagnola, Federico Girotti

We present different characterizations of the notion of irreducibility for Quantum Markov Semigroups (QMSs) and investigate its relationship with other relevant features of the dynamics, such as primitivity, positivity improvement and relaxation; in particular, we show that irreducibility, primitivity and relaxation towards a faithful invariant density are equivalent when the semigroup admits an invariant density. Moreover, in the case of uniformly continuous QMSs, we present several useful ways of checking irreducibility in terms of the operators appearing in the generator in GKLS form. Our exposition is as much self-contained as possible, we present some well known results with elementary proofs (collecting all the relevant literature) and we derive new ones. We study both finite and infinite dimensional evolutions and we remark that many results only require the QMS to be made of Schwarz maps.We present different characterizations of the notion of irreducibility for Quantum Markov Semigroups (QMSs) and investigate its relationship with other relevant features of the dynamics, such as primitivity, positivity improvement and relaxation; in particular, we show that irreducibility, primitivity and relaxation towards a faithful invariant density are equivalent when the semigroup admits an invariant density. Moreover, in the case of uniformly continuous QMSs, we present several useful ways of checking irreducibility in terms of the operators appearing in the generator in GKLS form. Our exposition is as much self-contained as possible, we present some well known results with elementary proofs (collecting all the relevant literature) and we derive new ones. We study both finite and infinite dimensional evolutions and we remark that many results only require the QMS to be made of Schwarz maps.

quant-pharXiv:2512.11517Dec 15, 20250 citations

On The Generators of Quantum Dynamical Semigroups

Alexander Wiedemann

In recent years, digraph induced generators of quantum dynamical semigroups have been introduced and studied, particularly in the context of unique relaxation and invariance. We define the class of pair block diagonal generators, which allows for additional interaction coefficients but preserves the main structural properties. Namely, when the basis of the underlying Hilbert space is given by the eigenbasis of the Hamiltonian (for example the generic semigroups), then the action of the semigroup leaves invariant the diagonal and off-diagonal matrix spaces. In this case, we explicitly compute all invariant states of the semigroup. In order to define this class we provide a characterization of when the Gorini- Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) equation defines a proper generator when arbitrary Lindblad operators are allowed (in particular, they do not need to be trace- less as demanded by the GKSL Theorem). Moreover, we consider the converse con- struction to show that every generator naturally gives rise to a digraph, and that under certain assumptions the properties of this digraph can be exploited to gain knowledge of both the number and the structure of the invariant states of the corre- sponding semigroup. We also consider more general constructions on the von Neumann algebra of all bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space, perhaps infinite dimensional. In partic- ular, we prove that for every semigroup of Schwarz maps on such an algebra which has a subinvariant faithful normal state there exists an associated semigroup of con- tractions on the space of Hilbert-Schmidt operators of the Hilbert space. Moreover, we show that if the original semigroup is weak∗ continuous then the associated semigroup is strongly continuous. We introduce the notion of the extended generator of a semigroup on the bounded operators of a Hilbert space with respect to an or- thonormal basis of the Hilbert space. We describe this form of the generator of a quantum Markov semigroup on the von Neumann algebra of all bounded linear op- erators on a Hilbert space which has an invariant faithful normal state under the assumption that the generator of the associated semigroup has compact resolvent, or under the assumption that the minimal unitary dilation of the associated semigroup of contractions is compact.In recent years, digraph induced generators of quantum dynamical semigroups have been introduced and studied, particularly in the context of unique relaxation and invariance. We define the class of pair block diagonal generators, which allows for additional interaction coefficients but preserves the main structural properties. Namely, when the basis of the underlying Hilbert space is given by the eigenbasis of the Hamiltonian (for example the generic semigroups), then the action of the semigroup leaves invariant the diagonal and off-diagonal matrix spaces. In this case, we explicitly compute all invariant states of the semigroup. In order to define this class we provide a characterization of when the Gorini- Kossakowski-Sudarshan-Lindblad (GKSL) equation defines a proper generator when arbitrary Lindblad operators are allowed (in particular, they do not need to be trace- less as demanded by the GKSL Theorem). Moreover, we consider the converse con- struction to show that every generator naturally gives rise to a digraph, and that under certain assumptions the properties of this digraph can be exploited to gain knowledge of both the number and the structure of the invariant states of the corre- sponding semigroup. We also consider more general constructions on the von Neumann algebra of all bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space, perhaps infinite dimensional. In partic- ular, we prove that for every semigroup of Schwarz maps on such an algebra which has a subinvariant faithful normal state there exists an associated semigroup of con- tractions on the space of Hilbert-Schmidt operators of the Hilbert space. Moreover, we show that if the original semigroup is weak∗ continuous then the associated semigroup is strongly continuous. We introduce the notion of the extended generator of a semigroup on the bounded operators of a Hilbert space with respect to an or- thonormal basis of the Hilbert space. We describe this form of the generator of a quantum Markov semigroup on the von Neumann algebra of all bounded linear op- erators on a Hilbert space which has an invariant faithful normal state under the assumption that the generator of the associated semigroup has compact resolvent, or under the assumption that the minimal unitary dilation of the associated semigroup of contractions is compact.

Jan 1, 20190 citations

Quantum Markov Semigroups

Mou-Hsiung Chang

In this chapter, we define and explore basic properties of a quantum Markov semigroup { I t , t ≥ 0} of linear maps on the C* -algebra or von Neumann algebra A that characterizes the quantum system. The quantum Markov semigroup (QMS) plays a key role in describing quantum Markov processes that are to be explored in the subsequent chapters. The concept of QMS extends the semigroup of probability transition operators { T t , t ≥ 0} for a classical Markov process to its noncommutative counterpart. Suppose the classical Markov process { X t , t ≥ 0} is defined on the complete filtered classical probability space (Ω, Ƒ, P ; {Ƒ t , t ≥ 0}) and with values in a measurable space (핏, B (X)). Recall that for each t ≥ 0, the probability transition operator T t : L ∞ (X, B (X)) → L ∞ (X, B (X)) by ( T t f )( X s ) = E x [ f ( X s + t ) | Ƒ s ] ∀ s , t ≥ 0. A semigroup of linear maps on the C* -algebra or von Neumann algebra A is said to be a quantum dynamical semigroup (QDS) if (i) I 0 = J (the identity operator on A ); (ii) I t I s = I t + s for all t , s ≥ 0; (iii) I t is completely positive for each t ≥ 0; and (iv) I t is σ weakly continuous on A , i.e., a ↦ tr ( ρI t ( a )) is continuous from A to ℂ for each ρ ∈ S ( A ) (the space of quantum states) and for each t ≥ 0. If in addition I t ( I ) = I , (respectively, I t ( I ) ≤ I ) for all t ≥ 0, then the QDS is said to be a quantum Makrov semigroup (QMS) (respectively, quantum sub-Markov semigroup).In this chapter, we define and explore basic properties of a quantum Markov semigroup { I t , t ≥ 0} of linear maps on the C* -algebra or von Neumann algebra A that characterizes the quantum system. The quantum Markov semigroup (QMS) plays a key role in describing quantum Markov processes that are to be explored in the subsequent chapters. The concept of QMS extends the semigroup of probability transition operators { T t , t ≥ 0} for a classical Markov process to its noncommutative counterpart. Suppose the classical Markov process { X t , t ≥ 0} is defined on the complete filtered classical probability space (Ω, Ƒ, P ; {Ƒ t , t ≥ 0}) and with values in a measurable space (핏, B (X)). Recall that for each t ≥ 0, the probability transition operator T t : L ∞ (X, B (X)) → L ∞ (X, B (X)) by ( T t f )( X s ) = E x [ f ( X s + t ) | Ƒ s ] ∀ s , t ≥ 0. A semigroup of linear maps on the C* -algebra or von Neumann algebra A is said to be a quantum dynamical semigroup (QDS) if (i) I 0 = J (the identity operator on A ); (ii) I t I s = I t + s for all t , s ≥ 0; (iii) I t is completely positive for each t ≥ 0; and (iv) I t is σ weakly continuous on A , i.e., a ↦ tr ( ρI t ( a )) is continuous from A to ℂ for each ρ ∈ S ( A ) (the space of quantum states) and for each t ≥ 0. If in addition I t ( I ) = I , (respectively, I t ( I ) ≤ I ) for all t ≥ 0, then the QDS is said to be a quantum Makrov semigroup (QMS) (respectively, quantum sub-Markov semigroup).

Cambridge University Press eBooksFeb 9, 20150 citations

L(A)=\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}V_n^*AV_n +GA+AG^*

where

V_n

and G are elements of the underlying operator algebra. In the present paper we investigate the form of the generators of QMSs which are not necessarily uniformly continuous and act on the bounded operators of a Hilbert space. We prove that the generators of such semigroups have forms that reflect the results of Lindblad and Stinespring. We also make some progress towards forms reflecting Kraus' result. Lastly we look at several examples to clarify our findings and verify that some of the unbounded operators we are using have dense domains.