A class of non-commutative stochastic processes is defined.These processes are defined up to equivalence by their multi-time correlation kernels.A reconstruction theorem, generalizing the Kolmogorov theorem for classical processes, is proved.Markov processes and their associated semigroups are studied, and some non-quasi free examples are constructed on the Clifford algebra, with the use of a perturbation theory of Markov processes.The connection with the Hepp-Lieb models is discussed.
A class of non-commutative stochastic processes is defined.These processes are defined up to equivalence by their multi-time correlation kernels.A reconstruction theorem, generalizing the Kolmogorov theorem for classical processes, is proved.Markov processes and their associated semigroups are studied, and some non-quasi free examples are constructed on the Clifford algebra, with the use of a perturbation theory of Markov processes.The connection with the Hepp-Lieb models is discussed.
Statistically interpretable axioms are formulated that define a quantum stochastic process (QSP) as a causally ordered operator field in an arbitrary space-time region T of an open quantum system under a sequential observation at a discrete space-time localization. It is shown that to every QSP described in the weak sense by a self-consistent system of causally ordered correlation kernels there corresponds a unique, up to unitary equivalence, minimal QSP in the strong sense. It is shown that the proposed QSP construction, which reduces in the case of the linearly ordered discrete T=Z to the construction of the inductive limit of Lindblad's canonical representations, corresponds to Kolmogorov's classical reconstruction if the order on T is ignored and leads to Lewis construction if one uses the system of all (not only causal) correlation kernels, regarding this system as lexicographically preordered on T. The approach presented encompasses both nonrelativistic and relativistic irreversible dynamics of open quantum systems and fields satisfying the conditions of local commutativity and semigroup covariance. Also given are necessary and sufficient conditions of dynamicity (or conditional Markovianity) and regularity, these leading to the properties of complete mixing (relaxation) and ergodicity of the QSP.
As mentioned previously, a classical Markov semigroup of transition operators { T t , t ≥ 0} can be generated from a classical Markov process { X t , t ≥ 0}. On the other hand, given a Markov semigroup, a Markov process { X t , t ≥ 0} can be constructed based on the Markov semigroup { T t , t ≥ 0} using the Kolmogorov consistency theorem. In the context of quantum probability space ( A , ρ ), a Markov dilation (i.e., construction of a quantum Markov process from a given quantum Markov semigroup of operators { I t , t ≥ 0}) turns out to be a nontrivial matter. This is partly due to the fact that, although the general concept of conditional expectation of an observable given a sub-von Neumann algebras B ⊂ A can be defined and required properties can be described, an explicit construction of such a conditional expectation is still unavailable in general. The main objective of this chapter is to introduce relevant concepts and to develop some properties of quantum Markov processes in the content of quantum probability explored in previous chapters. There are 2 major components in this chapter: (i) introduction of concepts and derivation of properties of a quantum Markov processes based on some assumed and/or derived properties of conditional expectation E ρ [· | A t ] ] given a filtration of sub-von Neumann algebras { A t ] , t ≥ 0} of A , and (ii) Markov dilation or construction of a weak quantum Markov flow (WQMF) from a given quantum Markov semigroup { I t , t ≥ 0} using the weak conditional expectation E [· | F t ], where { F t , t ≥ 0} is a filtration of orthogonal projection operators defined on the complex Hilbert space ℍ. The main objective of the first component is to introduce the relevant concept and develop some properties of quantum Markov processes in the content of quantum probability explored in previous chapters. Although the theory of (classical) Markov processes is well known in the probability community (see, for example, Dynkin [Dyn62], Ethier and Kurtz [EK85]), we outline some basic concept and results from the classical theory of homogeneous Markov processes below for comparison purpose.
Starting from the notion of algebraic hidden processes introduced in Ref. 9 , we propose a definition of quantum hidden Markov process which extends the notion of quantum Markov chain (QMC) in the same sense in which classical hidden Markov processes (HMPs) extend classical Markov chains. We give several structure theorems for this new family of quantum states which shares with the QMCs the unique property that the finite dimensional joint expectations are explicitly given without these states being linearly equivalent to product states (as the Gaussian ones). The special feature of this new class of quantum states is best exemplified by looking at their restrictions to diagonal sub-algebras: we prove that they lead to a new family of classical stochastic processes that generalize in a non-trivial way the classical HMPs.
Stationary quantum stochastic process j is introduced as a *-homomorphism embedding an involutive graded algebra K~=⊕i=1∞Ki into a ring of (abelian) cohomologies of the one-parameter group α consisting of *-automorphisms of certain operator algebra in a Hilbert space such that every x from Ki is translated into an additive i−α-cocycle j(x). It is shown that (noncommutative) multiplicative markovian cocycle defines a perturbation of the stationary quantum stochastic process in the sense of such definition. The E0-semigroup β~ on the von Neumann algebra N associated with the markovian perturbation of K-flow j posseses the restriction β~∣N0,N0⊂N, which is conjugate to the flow of Powers shifts β associated with j. It yields for β~ an analogue of the Wold decomposition for classical stochastic process on completely nondeterministic and deterministic parts. The examples of quantum stationary stochastic processes on the algebras of canonical commutation, anticommutation and square of white noise relations are considered. In the model situation of the space L2(R) all markovian cocycles of the group of shifts are described up to unitary equivalence of perturbations.
It is widely known that the commutative probability theory based on Kolmogorov's measure theoretic axioms and the quantum probability theory based on von Neumann's postulates were both created at about the same time in the 1930s (see, e.g., Kolmogorov [Kol50] and von Neumann [vNeu55] for the origins of these 2 very different but parallel lines of theory). Following Kolmogorov's original work, theory of the classical Markov processes has been the subject of intensive research for the last few decades. The classical theory, its applications, and their connections to other areas of research have been systematically developed by many prominent probabilists as illuminated by their widely referenced monographs such as those of Dynkin [Dyn62], Blumenthal and Getoor [BG68], Ethier and Kurtz [EK85], Renuv and Yor [RY99], and others. On the other hand, development of a complete theory of quantum stochastics such as quantum Markov processes has been progressing at a much slower pace in comparison with that of its classical counterpart. This is perhaps because development of a theory of quantum stochastics and quantum Markov processes requires an unusually large number of tools from operator theory and perhaps also because the probabilistic and analytical tools for understanding sample path behaviors of quantum stochastic processes have yet to be developed. The main goal of this monograph is to give a systematic exploration of relevant topics in quantum Markov processes in hopes of stimulating further research along this line and of stimulating interest in the classical stochastics community for research in its quantum counterpart. This monograph is written largely based on the current account of relevant research results by widely surveying relevant results contributed by many prominent researchers in quantum probability, quantum noise, quantum stochastic calculus, stochastic quantum differential equations, quantum Markov semigroups, strong quantum Markov processes, and large time asymptotic behaviors of quantum Markov semigroups through a systematic and self-contained introduction/presentation of these very interesting topics in an attempt to illuminate the rigor and beauty of quantum stochastics and quantum Markov processes.
In classical physics, the Kolmogorov extension theorem lays the foundation for the theory of stochastic processes. It has been known for a long time that, in its original form, this theorem does not hold in quantum mechanics. More generally, it does not hold in any theory of stochastic processes -- classical, quantum or beyond -- that does not just describe passive observations, but allows for active interventions. Such processes form the basis of the study of causal modelling across the sciences, including in the quantum domain. To date, these frameworks have lacked a conceptual underpinning similar to that provided by Kolmogorov’s theorem for classical stochastic processes. We prove a generalized extension theorem that applies to all theories of stochastic processes, putting them on equally firm mathematical ground as their classical counterpart. Additionally, we show that quantum causal modelling and quantum stochastic processes are equivalent. This provides the correct framework for the description of experiments involving continuous control, which play a crucial role in the development of quantum technologies. Furthermore, we show that the original extension theorem follows from the generalized one in the correct limit, and elucidate how a comprehensive understanding of general stochastic processes allows one to unambiguously define the distinction between those that are classical and those that are quantum.