Synchronization and Non-Markovianity in open quantum systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates how non-Markovian effects influence synchronization and quantum correlations in open quantum systems, revealing that information backflow can hinder synchronization.

Contribution

It demonstrates that non-Markovianity, through information backflow, can delay or prevent synchronization in coupled qubits interacting with an environment.

Findings

Non-Markovianity hampers the emergence of synchronization.

Synchronization can be delayed or hindered by information backflow.

The study uses both master equation and collision models.

Abstract

Detuned systems can spontaneously achieve a synchronous dynamics and display robust quantum correlations in different local and global dissipation regimes. Beyond the Markovian limit, information backflow from the environment becomes a crucial mechanism whose interplay with spontaneous synchronization is unknown. Considering a model of two coupled qubits, one of which interacts with a dissipative environment, we show that non-Markovianity is highly detrimental for the emergence of synchronization, for the latter can be delayed and hindered because of the presence of information backflow. The results are obtained considering both a master equation approach and a collision model based on repeated interactions, which represents a very versatile tool to tailor the desired kind of environment.