Non-ergodicity in open quantum systems through quantum feedback

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that quantum feedback can induce non-ergodic behavior in open quantum systems, leading to dynamics with lasting initial condition dependence, with potential applications in quantum information and thermodynamics.

Contribution

It shows how quantum feedback can create non-ergodic dynamics in open quantum systems, a novel insight into control and behavior of quantum systems.

Findings

Quantum feedback induces non-ergodicity in open quantum systems.

Non-ergodic systems exhibit dependence on initial conditions.

Potential applications in quantum information and thermodynamics.

Abstract

It is well known that quantum feedback can alter the dynamics of open quantum systems dramatically. In this paper, we show that non-ergodicity may be induced through quantum feedback and resultantly create system dynamics that have lasting dependence on initial conditions. To demonstrate this, we consider an optical cavity inside an instantaneous quantum feedback loop, which can be implemented relatively easily in the laboratory. Non-ergodic quantum systems are of interest for applications in quantum information processing, quantum metrology and quantum sensing and could potentially aid the design of thermal machines whose efficiency is not limited by the laws of classical thermodynamics.