Transient unidirectional energy flow and diode-like phenomenon induced by non-Markovian environments

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel transient unidirectional energy flow in a quantum system coupled to non-Markovian environments, revealing potential for designing microscopic energy transfer devices.

Contribution

It introduces an exactly solvable quantum model showing transient unidirectional energy flow and rectification effects due to non-Markovian environments.

Findings

Finite intervals of unidirectional energy flow from non-Markovian to Markovian baths.

Observation of rectification effect with spatial asymmetry.

Long-term dynamics reach a stationary state where effects diminish.

Abstract

Relying on an exact time evolution scheme, we identify a novel transient energy transfer phe- nomenon in an exactly-solvable quantum microscopic model consisting of a three-level system coupled to two non-Markovian zero-temperature bosonic baths through two separable quantum channels. The dynamics of this model can be solved exactly using the quantum-state-diffusion equation formalism, demonstrating finite intervals of unidirectional energy flow across the system, typically, from the non-Markovian environment towards the more Markovian bath. Furthermore, when introducing a spatial asymmetry into the system, an analogue of the rectification effect is realized. In the long time limit, the dynamics arrives at a stationary state and the effects recede. Understanding temporal characteristics of directional energy flow will aid in designing microscopic energy transfer devices.