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

Brazilian Journal of Physics

Langevin simulations with colored noise and non-Markovian dissipation

Ricardo L. S. Farias, Rudnei O. Ramos, L. A. da Silva

Published Sep 1, 2008• 8 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The nonequilibrium dynamics of an homogeneous scalar field is studied using Langevin equations. Microscopic derivations based on quantum field theory methods can lead to complicated nonlocal equations of motion. Here we study, numerically, the results obtained by appropriately approximating these equations in a local form (the Markovian approximation) and compare with results obtained with suitable prescriptions for accounting for the nonlocal terms, i.e. the non-Markovian form. We use a prescription for the nonlocal equations motivated by the results obtained from previous derivations using nonequilibrium quantum field theory methods.

DOI
10.1590/s0103-97332008000400023

Related papers

Langevin description of nonequilibrium quantum fields

Florian Gautier, Julien Serreau

We consider the nonequilibrium dynamics of a real quantum scalar field. We show the formal equivalence of the exact evolution equations for the statistical and spectral two-point functions with a fictitious Langevin process and examine the conditions under which a local Markovian dynamics is a valid approximation. In quantum field theory, the memory kernel and the noise correlator typically exhibit long time power laws and are thus highly nonlocal, thereby questioning the possibility of a local description. We show that despite this fact, there is a finite time range during which a local description is accurate. This requires the theory to be (effectively) weakly coupled. We illustrate the use of such a local description for studies of decoherence and entropy production in quantum field theory.

arXiv:1209.1827•Physical review. D. Particles, fields, gravitation, and cosmology/Physical review. D. Particles and fields•Dec 3, 2012•24 citations

Examination of classical simulations for Heisenberg-Langevin equations for spin-1/2

Scott D. Linz, Jochen Gemmer

A system of spins coupled to a bath is a traditional setup in open quantum systems. Through Heisenberg's equation, the spin dynamics can be modeled by a set of first-order differential equations. Interpreting the terms as colored noise and non-Markovian damping, one can write them as quantummechanical Heisenberg-Langevin (HL) equations. These are notoriously difficult to solve because of the high dimensionality of the Hilbert space. Classical generalized Langevin equations, involving non-Markovian damping and colored noise, are well understood and can be treated numerically with relative ease. Thus, a classical ansatz can be made by substituting quantum expectation values with classical functions. This allows the application of standard methods developed for classical stochastic dynamical systems to tackle spin dynamics. However, this approach is uncontrolled and should be benchmarked against known quantum dynamics. In this investigation, a Hamiltonian for spin dynamics is modified to obtain a setup analogous to the Weisskopf-Wigner (WW) theory of spontaneous emission, enabling a comparison of the results. This will be compared for T = 0 and with a slight adaptation in the high-temperature limit.

quant-pharXiv:2603.04526•Mar 6, 2026•0 citations

Non-Markovian expansion in quantum dissipative systems

Eduardo Souza Fraga, Gastão I. Krein, L. F. Palhares

We consider the non-Markovian Langevin evolution of a dissipative dynamical system in quantum mechanics in the path integral formalism. After discussing the role of the frequency cutoff for the interaction of the system with the heat bath and the kernel and noise correlator that follow from the most common choices, we derive an analytic expansion for the exact non-Markovian dissipation kernel and the corresponding colored noise in the general case that is consistent with the fluctuation-dissipation theorem and incorporates systematically non-local corrections. We illustrate the modifications to results obtained using the traditional (Markovian) Langevin approach in the case of the exponential kernel and analyze the case of the non-Markovian Brownian motion.

arXiv:0910.4369•Oct 22, 2009•2 citations

Non-Markovian quantum dissipation in the presence of external fields

Ping Cui, Lin, SH, Yan Mo +1 more

This article reviews from both theoretical and numerical aspects three non-equivalent complete second-order formulations of quantum dissipation theory, in which both the reduced dynamics and the initial canonical thermal equilibrium are properly treated in the weak system-bath coupling limit. Two of these formulations are rather familiar as the time-local and the memory-kernel prescriptions, while another which can be termed as correlated driving-dissipation equations of motion will be shown to have the combined merits of the two conventional formulations. By exploiting the exact solutions to the driven Brownian oscillator system, we demonstrate that the time-local and correlated driving-dissipation equations of motion formulations are usually better than their memory-kernel counterparts, in terms of their applicability to a broad range of system-bath coupling, non-Markovian, and temperature parameters. Numerical algorithms are detailed for an efficient evaluation of both the reduced canonical thermal equilibrium state, and the non-Markovian evolution at any temperature, in the presence of arbitrary time-dependent external fields.

•Jan 1, 2003•0 citations

Quantum Langevin approach for non-Markovian quantum dynamics of the spin-boson model

Zheng-Yang Zhou, Mi Chen, Ting Yu +1 more

One longstanding difficult problem in quantum dissipative dynamics is to solve the spin-boson model in a non-Markovian regime where a tractable systematic master equation does not exist. The spin-boson model is particularly important due to its crucial applications in quantum noise control and manipulation as well as its central role in developing quantum theories of open systems. Here we solve this important model by developing a non-Markovian quantum Langevin approach. By projecting the quantum Langevin equation onto the coherent states of the bath, we can derive a set of non-Markovian quantum Bloch equations containing no explicit noise variables. This special feature offers a tremendous advantage over the existing stochastic Schr\"odinger equations in numerical simulations. The physical significance and generality of our approach are briefly discussed.

arXiv:1509.03973•Physical Review A•Feb 4, 2016•10 citations

Limitations of the Markovian approximation in the harmonic oscillator

Michele Coppola, Zoubair Daouma, Malte Henkel

The quantum fluctuation-dissipation theorem is a central ingredient in the construction of quantum dynamics of Brownian motion which necessarily is non-Markovian. Yet, often Markovian approximations to quantum dynamics are studied in the literature. In this work, we investigate the limitations of the Markovian approximation within two paradigmatic models describing a single damped harmonic oscillator. These models are governed by distinct quantum Langevin equations, although both are constructed to satisfy the same set of phenomenological criteria: the canonical commutation relations between position and momentum, the Kubo response relation, the virial theorem, and the equilibrium quantum variance. The limitations of the Markovian approximation are underscored by the classical limit, violations of the Ehrenfest theorem, the breakdown of complete and simple positivity in the reconstructed master equations, and anomalies in thermalisation behaviour. Further phenomenological differences between the two models are illustrated through their quantum relaxation dynamics and phase diagrams, derived from their reinterpretation as mean-field approximations of a many-body interacting magnet. Our analysis explicitly reveals intrinsic inconsistencies introduced by the Markovian approximation, emphasising the need for non-Markovian frameworks for a consistent description of open quantum dynamics.

arXiv:2305.06312•May 10, 2023•0 citations
The nonequilibrium dynamics of an homogeneous scalar field is studied using Langevin equations. Microscopic derivations based on quantum field theory methods can lead to complicated nonlocal equations of motion. Here we study, numerically, the results obtained by appropriately approximating these equations in a local form (the Markovian approximation) and compare with results obtained with suitable prescriptions for accounting for the nonlocal terms, i.e. the non-Markovian form. We use a prescription for the nonlocal equations motivated by the results obtained from previous derivations using nonequilibrium quantum field theory methods.
We consider the nonequilibrium dynamics of a real quantum scalar field. We show the formal equivalence of the exact evolution equations for the statistical and spectral two-point functions with a fictitious Langevin process and examine the conditions under which a local Markovian dynamics is a valid approximation. In quantum field theory, the memory kernel and the noise correlator typically exhibit long time power laws and are thus highly nonlocal, thereby questioning the possibility of a local description. We show that despite this fact, there is a finite time range during which a local description is accurate. This requires the theory to be (effectively) weakly coupled. We illustrate the use of such a local description for studies of decoherence and entropy production in quantum field theory.
A system of spins coupled to a bath is a traditional setup in open quantum systems. Through Heisenberg's equation, the spin dynamics can be modeled by a set of first-order differential equations. Interpreting the terms as colored noise and non-Markovian damping, one can write them as quantummechanical Heisenberg-Langevin (HL) equations. These are notoriously difficult to solve because of the high dimensionality of the Hilbert space. Classical generalized Langevin equations, involving non-Markovian damping and colored noise, are well understood and can be treated numerically with relative ease. Thus, a classical ansatz can be made by substituting quantum expectation values with classical functions. This allows the application of standard methods developed for classical stochastic dynamical systems to tackle spin dynamics. However, this approach is uncontrolled and should be benchmarked against known quantum dynamics. In this investigation, a Hamiltonian for spin dynamics is modified to obtain a setup analogous to the Weisskopf-Wigner (WW) theory of spontaneous emission, enabling a comparison of the results. This will be compared for T = 0 and with a slight adaptation in the high-temperature limit.
We consider the non-Markovian Langevin evolution of a dissipative dynamical system in quantum mechanics in the path integral formalism. After discussing the role of the frequency cutoff for the interaction of the system with the heat bath and the kernel and noise correlator that follow from the most common choices, we derive an analytic expansion for the exact non-Markovian dissipation kernel and the corresponding colored noise in the general case that is consistent with the fluctuation-dissipation theorem and incorporates systematically non-local corrections. We illustrate the modifications to results obtained using the traditional (Markovian) Langevin approach in the case of the exponential kernel and analyze the case of the non-Markovian Brownian motion.
This article reviews from both theoretical and numerical aspects three non-equivalent complete second-order formulations of quantum dissipation theory, in which both the reduced dynamics and the initial canonical thermal equilibrium are properly treated in the weak system-bath coupling limit. Two of these formulations are rather familiar as the time-local and the memory-kernel prescriptions, while another which can be termed as correlated driving-dissipation equations of motion will be shown to have the combined merits of the two conventional formulations. By exploiting the exact solutions to the driven Brownian oscillator system, we demonstrate that the time-local and correlated driving-dissipation equations of motion formulations are usually better than their memory-kernel counterparts, in terms of their applicability to a broad range of system-bath coupling, non-Markovian, and temperature parameters. Numerical algorithms are detailed for an efficient evaluation of both the reduced canonical thermal equilibrium state, and the non-Markovian evolution at any temperature, in the presence of arbitrary time-dependent external fields.
One longstanding difficult problem in quantum dissipative dynamics is to solve the spin-boson model in a non-Markovian regime where a tractable systematic master equation does not exist. The spin-boson model is particularly important due to its crucial applications in quantum noise control and manipulation as well as its central role in developing quantum theories of open systems. Here we solve this important model by developing a non-Markovian quantum Langevin approach. By projecting the quantum Langevin equation onto the coherent states of the bath, we can derive a set of non-Markovian quantum Bloch equations containing no explicit noise variables. This special feature offers a tremendous advantage over the existing stochastic Schr\"odinger equations in numerical simulations. The physical significance and generality of our approach are briefly discussed.
The quantum fluctuation-dissipation theorem is a central ingredient in the construction of quantum dynamics of Brownian motion which necessarily is non-Markovian. Yet, often Markovian approximations to quantum dynamics are studied in the literature. In this work, we investigate the limitations of the Markovian approximation within two paradigmatic models describing a single damped harmonic oscillator. These models are governed by distinct quantum Langevin equations, although both are constructed to satisfy the same set of phenomenological criteria: the canonical commutation relations between position and momentum, the Kubo response relation, the virial theorem, and the equilibrium quantum variance. The limitations of the Markovian approximation are underscored by the classical limit, violations of the Ehrenfest theorem, the breakdown of complete and simple positivity in the reconstructed master equations, and anomalies in thermalisation behaviour. Further phenomenological differences between the two models are illustrated through their quantum relaxation dynamics and phase diagrams, derived from their reinterpretation as mean-field approximations of a many-body interacting magnet. Our analysis explicitly reveals intrinsic inconsistencies introduced by the Markovian approximation, emphasising the need for non-Markovian frameworks for a consistent description of open quantum dynamics.