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:1511.06016

Necessary and Sufficient Condition on the Lindblad Equation to Prevent Entropy Increase

Steven Weinberg

Published Nov 18, 2015• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

It is shown that in order for the solutions of the Lindblad equation never to give a decreasing von Neumann entropy, it is necessary and sufficient that the operators appearing in this equation should be unitary linear combinations of their adjoints. In this case, these operators may be replaced with Hermitian operators, without changing the evolution of density matrices.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.1511.06016

Related papers

Finding Stationary Solutions of the Lindblad Equation by Analyzing the Entropy Production Functional

Anton Sergeevich Trushechkin

A necessary and sufficient condition is derived for a density operator to be a stationary solution for a certain class of Lindblad equations in the theory of open quantum systems. This condition is based on the properties of a functional that in some cases corresponds to entropy production. Examples are given where this condition is used to find stationary solutions.

Proceedings of the Steklov Institute of Mathematics•May 1, 2018•11 citations

A Few Remarks on Milburn Equation

Chen Jun-Hua, Fan Hong-Yi

After presenting the infinite operator-sum form solution to the Milburn equation dρ/dt = γ(UρU † – ρ) = γU[ρ,U † ], where U = e -iH/ℏγ , and verifying that this equation preserves the three necessary conditions of density operators during time evolution, we prove that the von Neumann entropy increases with time. We also point out that if A and B both obey the Milburn equation, then the product AB obeys (d/dt) (AB) = γU[AB, U†] – (1/γ) (dA/dt) (dB/dt), which violates the Milburn equation, this reflects that a pure state will evolve to a mixture in general.

Communications in Theoretical Physics•Jul 1, 2009•0 citations

The von Neumann entropy and unitary equivalence of quantum states

Roman Drnovšek

K. He, J. Hou, and M. Li have recently given a sufficient and necessary condition for unitary equivalence of quantum states. This condition is based on the von Neumann entropy. In this note we first give a short proof of their result, and then we improve it.

arXiv:1210.3469•Oct 12, 2012•0 citations

The von Neumann entropy and unitary equivalence of quantum states

Roman Drnovšek

K. He, J. Hou and M. Li have recently given a sufficient and necessary condition for unitary equivalence of quantum states. This condition is based on the von Neumann entropy. In this note, we first give a short proof of their result, and then we improve it.

Linear and Multilinear Algebra•Dec 11, 2012•6 citations

Entropies of Quantum Operators

Craig S. Lent

For a quantum state undergoing unitary Schrodinger time evolution, the von Neumann entropy is constant. Yet the second law of thermodynamics, and our experience, show that entropy increases with time. Ingarden introduced the quantum operator entropy, which is the Shannon entropy of the probability distribution for the eigenvalues of a Hermitian operator. These entropies characterize the missing information about a particular observable inherent in the quantum state itself. The von Neumann entropy is the quantum operator entropy for the case when the operator is the density matrix. We examine pure state unitary evolution in a simple model system comprised of a set of highly-interconnected topologically disordered states and a time-independent Hamiltonian. An initially confined state is subject to free expansion into available states. The time development is completely reversible with no loss of quantum information and no course graining is applied. The positional entropy increases in time in a way that is consistent with both the classical statistical mechanical entropy and the second law.

•Jan 25, 2019•0 citations

Quantum operator entropies under unitary evolution

Craig S. Lent

For a quantum state undergoing unitary Schrödinger time evolution, the von Neumann entropy is constant. Yet the second law of thermodynamics, and our experience, show that entropy increases with time. Ingarden introduced the quantum operator entropy, which is the Shannon entropy of the probability distribution for the eigenvalues of a Hermitian operator [R. S. Ingarden, Quantum information theory, Rep. Math. Phys. 10, 43 (1976)RMHPBE0034-487710.1016/0034-4877(76)90005-7]. These entropies characterize the missing information about a particular observable inherent in the quantum state itself. The von Neumann entropy is the quantum operator entropy for the case when the operator is the density matrix. We examine pure state unitary evolution in a simple model system composed of a set of highly interconnected topologically disordered states and a time-independent Hamiltonian. An initially confined state is subject to free expansion into available states. The time development is completely reversible with no loss of quantum information and no course graining is applied. The positional entropy increases in time in a way that is consistent with both the classical statistical mechanical entropy and the second law.

arXiv:1901.08956•Physical review. E•Jul 2, 2019•18 citations
It is shown that in order for the solutions of the Lindblad equation never to give a decreasing von Neumann entropy, it is necessary and sufficient that the operators appearing in this equation should be unitary linear combinations of their adjoints. In this case, these operators may be replaced with Hermitian operators, without changing the evolution of density matrices.
After presenting the infinite operator-sum form solution to the Milburn equation dρ/dt = γ(UρU † – ρ) = γU[ρ,U † ], where U = e -iH/ℏγ , and verifying that this equation preserves the three necessary conditions of density operators during time evolution, we prove that the von Neumann entropy increases with time. We also point out that if A and B both obey the Milburn equation, then the product AB obeys (d/dt) (AB) = γU[AB, U†] – (1/γ) (dA/dt) (dB/dt), which violates the Milburn equation, this reflects that a pure state will evolve to a mixture in general.
For a quantum state undergoing unitary Schrodinger time evolution, the von Neumann entropy is constant. Yet the second law of thermodynamics, and our experience, show that entropy increases with time. Ingarden introduced the quantum operator entropy, which is the Shannon entropy of the probability distribution for the eigenvalues of a Hermitian operator. These entropies characterize the missing information about a particular observable inherent in the quantum state itself. The von Neumann entropy is the quantum operator entropy for the case when the operator is the density matrix. We examine pure state unitary evolution in a simple model system comprised of a set of highly-interconnected topologically disordered states and a time-independent Hamiltonian. An initially confined state is subject to free expansion into available states. The time development is completely reversible with no loss of quantum information and no course graining is applied. The positional entropy increases in time in a way that is consistent with both the classical statistical mechanical entropy and the second law.
For a quantum state undergoing unitary Schrödinger time evolution, the von Neumann entropy is constant. Yet the second law of thermodynamics, and our experience, show that entropy increases with time. Ingarden introduced the quantum operator entropy, which is the Shannon entropy of the probability distribution for the eigenvalues of a Hermitian operator [R. S. Ingarden, Quantum information theory, Rep. Math. Phys. 10, 43 (1976)RMHPBE0034-487710.1016/0034-4877(76)90005-7]. These entropies characterize the missing information about a particular observable inherent in the quantum state itself. The von Neumann entropy is the quantum operator entropy for the case when the operator is the density matrix. We examine pure state unitary evolution in a simple model system composed of a set of highly interconnected topologically disordered states and a time-independent Hamiltonian. An initially confined state is subject to free expansion into available states. The time development is completely reversible with no loss of quantum information and no course graining is applied. The positional entropy increases in time in a way that is consistent with both the classical statistical mechanical entropy and the second law.