Regular patterns in the information flow of local dephasing channels

TL;DR

This paper uncovers regular, temperature-dependent patterns in the flow of quantum information in local dephasing channels, showing how environmental engineering can control non-Markovian effects and information back-flow over long times.

Contribution

It reveals periodic patterns in information flow related to the Ohmicity parameter, extending understanding of non-Markovian dynamics in structured reservoirs.

Findings

Long-time information back-flow occurs in specific Ohmicity parameter intervals.

Temperature influences the stability and direction of information flow.

Patterns persist despite low-frequency spectral density perturbations.

Abstract

Consider local dephasing processes of a qubit that interacts with a structured reservoir of frequency modes or a thermal bath, with Ohmic-like spectral density (SD). It is known that non-Markovian evolution appears uniquely above a temperature-dependent critical value of the Ohmicity parameter, and non-Markovianity can be induced by properly engineering the external environment. In the same scenario, we find that the flow of quantum information shows regular patterns: alternate directions appear in correspondence of periodical intervals of the Ohmicity parameter $\alpha_0$. The information flows back into the system over long times for $2+4n<\alpha_0<4+4n$, at zero temperature, and for $3+4n<\alpha_0<5+4n$, at non-vanishing temperatures, where $n=0,1,2,\ldots$. Otherwise, the long time information flows into the environment. In the transition from vanishing to arbitrary non-vanishing temperature, the long time back-flow of information is stable for $3+4n<\alpha_0<4+4n$, while it is reverted for $2+4n<\alpha_0<3+4n$ and $4+4n<\alpha_0<5+4n$. The patterns of the information flow are not altered if the low frequency Ohmic-like profiles of the SDs are perturbed with additional factors that consist in arbitrary powers of logarithmic forms. Consequently, the flow of information can be controlled, directed and reverted over long times by engineering a wide variety of reservoirs that includes and continuously departs from the Ohmic-like structure at low frequencies. Non-Markovianity and recoherence appear according to the same rules along with the back-flow of information.