Purely quantum memory in closed systems observed via imperfect measurements

TL;DR

This paper explores how memory effects can emerge in closed quantum systems through imperfect measurements, revealing conditions for quantum memory and its distinction from classical memory, with implications for quantum dynamics and decoherence.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of purely quantum memory in closed systems observed via imperfect measurements and characterizes conditions for its emergence.

Findings

Quantum-lumping measurements require absence of coherence for Markovianity.

Purely quantum memory can exist without classical counterparts.

Results demonstrated with quantum walk on a lattice.

Abstract

The detection and quantification of non-Markovianity, a.k.a. memory, in quantum systems is a central problem in the theory of open quantum systems. There memory is as a result of the interaction between the system and its environment. Little is known, however, about memory effects induced by imperfect measurements on closed systems, where an entanglement with the environment is not possible. We investigate the emergence and characteristics of memory in closed systems observed via imperfect stroboscopic quantum measurements yielding coarse-grained outcomes. We consider ideal and two kinds of imperfect measurements: von Neumann measurements--the analogue of classical lumping--which destroy any coherence in the system, and genuinely quantum-lumping L\"uders measurements preserving certain quantum correlations. Whereas the conditions for Markov dynamics under von Neumann lumping are the same as for classical dynamics, quantum-lumping requires stronger conditions, i.e. the absence of any detectable coherence. We introduce the concept of purely quantum memory having no classical counterpart. We illustrate our results with a quantum walk on a lattice and discuss their implications for dissipative dynamics and decoherence effects induced by more realistic measurements.