In this paper, we investigate the memory effects introduced by the time-fractional Schrödinger equation proposed by Naber on quantum entanglement and quantum dense coding under amplitude damping noise. Two formulations are analyzed: one with fractional operations applied to the imaginary unit and one without. Numerical results show that the formulation without fractional operations on the imaginary unit may be more suitable for describing non-Markovian (power-law) behavior in dissipative environments. This finding provides a more physically meaningful interpretation of the memory effects in time-fractional quantum dynamics and indirectly addresses fundamental concerns regarding the violation of unitarity and probability conservation in such frameworks. Our work offers a new perspective for the application of fractional quantum mechanics to realistic open quantum systems and shows promise in supporting the theoretical modeling of decoherence and information degradation.
In this paper, we investigate the memory effects introduced by the time-fractional Schrödinger equation proposed by Naber on quantum entanglement and quantum dense coding under amplitude damping noise. Two formulations are analyzed: one with fractional operations applied to the imaginary unit and one without. Numerical results show that the formulation without fractional operations on the imaginary unit may be more suitable for describing non-Markovian (power-law) behavior in dissipative environments. This finding provides a more physically meaningful interpretation of the memory effects in time-fractional quantum dynamics and indirectly addresses fundamental concerns regarding the violation of unitarity and probability conservation in such frameworks. Our work offers a new perspective for the application of fractional quantum mechanics to realistic open quantum systems and shows promise in supporting the theoretical modeling of decoherence and information degradation.
In this paper, we examine the time-fractional Schrödinger equation from the perspective of non-Markovian dynamics in dissipative systems. First, we determine the range of the fractional derivative's order by examining the memory properties of the time-fractional Schrödinger equation. Next, we employ the Jaynes-Cummings model to identify the appropriate mathematical form of the imaginary unit. Finally, we use the refined equation to study quantum teleportation under amplitude damping noise. It was found that the time-fractional Schrödinger equation without fractional operations on the imaginary unit i might be more suitable for describing non-Markovian dynamics in dissipative systems. Our research may provide a new perspective on the time-fractional Schrödinger equation, contributing to a deeper understanding and further development of time-fractional quantum mechanics.
A significant obstacle impeding the advancement of the time fractional Schrödinger equation lies in the challenge of determining its precise mathematical formulation. In order to address this, we undertake an exploration of the time fractional Schrödinger equation within the context of a non-Markovian environment. By leveraging a two-level atom as an illustrative case, we find that the choice to raise i to the order of the time derivative is inappropriate. In contrast to the conventional approach used to depict the dynamic evolution of quantum states in a non-Markovian environment, the time fractional Schrödinger equation, when devoid of fractional-order operations on the imaginary unit i, emerges as a more intuitively comprehensible framework in physics and offers greater simplicity in computational aspects. Meanwhile, we also prove that it is meaningless to study the memory of time fractional Schrödinger equation with time derivative 1 < α ≤ 2. It should be noted that we have not yet constructed an open system that can be fully described by the time fractional Schrödinger equation. This will be the focus of future research. Our study might provide a new perspective on the role of time fractional Schrödinger equation.
Applications of Time-Fractional Schrodinger Equations (TFSEs) to quantum processes are instructive for understanding and describing the time behavior of real physical systems. By applying three popular TFSEs, namely Naber's TFSE I, Naber's TFSE II, and XGF's TFSE, to a basic open system model of a two-level system (qubit) coupled resonantly to a dissipative environment, we solve exactly for Time-Fractional Single Qubit Open Systems (TFSQOSs). However, the three TFSEs perform badly for the following reasons. On the other hand, in the respective frameworks of the three TFSEs, the total probability for obtaining the system in a single-qubit state is not equal to one with time at fractional order, implying that time-fractional quantum mechanics violates quantum mechanical probability conservation. On the other hand, the latter two TFSEs are not capable of describing the non-Markovian dynamics of the system at all fractional order, only at some fractional order. To address this, we introduce a well-performed TFSE by constructing a new analytic continuation of time combined with the conformable fractional derivative, in which for all fractional order, not only does the total probability for the system equal one at all times but also the non-Markovian features can be observed throughout the time evolution of the system. Furthermore, we study the performances of the four TFSEs applying to an open system model of two isolated qubits each locally interacting with its dissipative environment. By deriving the exact solutions for time-fractional two qubits open systems, we show that our TFSE still possesses the above two advantages compared with the other three TFSEs.
Open quantum systems exhibit dynamics ranging from unitary evolution to irreversible dissipation. While the Gorini--Kossakowski--Sudarshan--Lindblad (GKSL) equation uniquely characterizes Markovian CPTP evolution, many physical platforms display non-Markovian features such as algebraic relaxation and coherence backflow. Fractional calculus provides a natural way to model such long-memory behavior through power-law temporal kernels introduced by fractional time derivatives. Here we develop a unified framework that embeds fractional master equations within the broader hierarchy of open-system formalisms. The fractional equation forms a structured subclass of memory-kernel models, reduces to the Lindblad form at unit order, and, through Bochner--Phillips subordination, admits a CPTP representation as an average over Lindblad semigroups. Its resolvent structure further connects fractional dynamics to established non-Markovian approaches, including Nakajima--Zwanzig kernels and hierarchical equations of motion, providing a compact surrogate for long-memory effects. This formulation positions fractional calculus as a rigorous and practical language for quantum dynamics with intrinsic memory, supporting both analytical insight and efficient quantum simulation.
This is a novel approach to mitigating decoherence in quantum computing with "Fractional-Time Qubits: Leveraging Memory Kernels to Combat Decoherence in Quantum Computing." In this work, Erika Barker introduces fractional quantum dynamics by replacing the conventional time derivative in Schrödinger’s equation with a fractional derivative of order β. This modification incorporates long-range memory kernels—crucial for modeling 1/f noise and other non-Markovian effects—that fundamentally alter decoherence profiles and extend qubit lifetimes. Key highlights include: Expanded Hilbert Space Formalism: A novel framework that embeds fractional dynamics into a larger, unitary space, ensuring probability conservation and a generalized energy conservation law reminiscent of pseudo-Hermitian quantum mechanics. Noise Mitigation Strategies: Detailed analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate how fractional dynamics produce stretched-exponential and power-law decays, effectively countering decoherence in 1/f, Ohmic, and sub-Ohmic noise environments. Resource Efficiency: A comparative discussion on resource overhead reveals potential advantages over traditional quantum error correction, offering a promising pathway for near-term quantum devices with limited qubit counts. Interdisciplinary Impact: The paper also connects these techniques with broader theoretical frameworks in quantum gravity and fractal time, suggesting far-reaching implications for both practical quantum engineering and fundamental physics. This comprehensive study provides essential insights for researchers focused on quantum decoherence, advanced error mitigation techniques, and the development of robust quantum computing architectures. Keywords: quantum computing, decoherence, fractional dynamics, memory kernels, 1/f noise, non-Markovian, Hilbert space, quantum error correction.
• A generalized time-dependent Jaynes–Cummings model is investigated within the framework of the time fractional Schr¨odinger equation. • Two distinct fractional formulations are compared, encompassing oscillatory and dissipative non- Markovian dynamics. • Our results shows that fractional order introduces memory effects leading to damped oscillations and asymptotic decay in population inversion and entanglement. • Time-dependent couplings (linear, exponential, and sinusoidal) strongly modulate entanglement generation and decay. • Fractional order acts as a control parameter, preserving non-periodic dynamics under sinusoidal coupling within specific regimes. We investigate the fractional time description of a generalized quantum light-matter system modeled by a time-dependent Jaynes-Cummings (JC) interaction, with different coupling types: constant, linear, exponential, and sinusoidal. Two formulations of the time fractional Schrödinger equation (TFSE) are examined, with a focus on their impact on population inversion and entanglement. Our findings highlight that the introduction of fractional order introduces memory effects, associated with damped oscillations and asymptotic decay. Furthermore, we find that the time-dependent couplings, combined with distinct fractional formulations, influence how these effects occur, ultimately resulting in high or low entanglement. A key finding of our work is that, under sinusoidal coupling, non-periodic dynamics is preserved for both formulations of the TFSE; however, within a certain range, the fractional order can act as a control mechanism for the non-periodic evolution.