We present an exact expansion of the master equation for an open quantum system. The resulting equation is time local and enables us to calculate clearly defined higher-order corrections to the Born-Markov approximation. In particular, we show that non-Markovian terms are of the same order of magnitude as higher-order terms in the system-bath coupling. As a result, we emphasize that analyzing non-Markovian behavior of a system implies going beyond the Born approximation. Additionally, we address with this approach the initial-state problem occurring in non-Markovian master equations.
The Redfield equation describes the dynamics of a quantum system weakly coupled to one or more reservoirs and is widely used in theory of open quantum system. However, the assumption of weak system-reservoir coupling is often not fully adequate and higher-order corrections to the Redfield equation with respect to the system-bath coupling is required. Here we propose a general method of derivation of higher-order corrections to the Redfield quantum master equation based on the hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM). Also we derive conditions of validity of the Redfield equation as well as the additional secular approximation for it.
We study the phenomenon of absorption refrigeration, where refrigeration is achieved by heating instead of work, in two different setups: a minimal set up based on coupled qubits and two nonlinearly coupled resonators. Considering
ZZ interaction between the two qubits, we outline the basic ingredients required to achieve cooling. Using local as well as global master equations, we observe that inclusion of an
XX type term in the qubit-qubit coupling is detrimental to cooling. We compare the cooling effect obtained in the qubit case with that of nonlinearly coupled resonators (multilevel system) where the
ZZ interaction translates to a Kerr-type nonlinearity. For small to intermediate strengths of nonlinearity, we observe that multilevel quantum systems, for example qutrits, give better cooling effect compared to the qubits. Using Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function formalism, we go beyond first order sequential tunneling processes and study the effect of higher order processes on refrigeration. We find a reduced cooling effect compared to the master equation calculations.