Date Time
How Quantum Systems Keep a Memory of Their Environment
Jülich, 1 June 2021 – Many quantum devices – electrical, optical or otherwise – respond in a delayed manner to a control pulse. This results in damping effects that occur with a time delay – the systems still show traces of past behaviour. Researchers at RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich have now shown how this “memory” can be modelled more easily. The results are relevant, among other things, for applications in quantum technology, the development of which is still a challenge due to difficulties in modelling.
In physics, the Schrödinger equation is used to describe quantum systems. But this does not provide for any damping and memory effects. But since every real device has damping – quantum systems are no exception – a great deal of research has been done to understand how these effects arise from Schrödinger’s quantum law.