Quantum dynamics as a non-Markov classical process

The reversible evolution of a quantum system among alternative states, such as the up and down states of a spin-1/2, cannot be described as a classical Markov process among a finite number of classical configurations. Indeed, a Markov process always relaxes into a stationary probability distribution. In this talk, I present a stochastic classical model with timecorrelated noise that reproduces exactly the dynamics of a qubit between two consecutive measurements. The time correlation of the noise guarantees the reversibility of the evolution. The invasiveness of a measurement is accounted for by the updating of a single classical bit. The case of multiple measurements is also discussed and a novel experimental test of quantum mechanics is proposed. I then show the relation of this model with the Toner-Bacon model, which classically simulates the communication of a qubit through the communication of two classical bits. Finally, I discuss the generalization of the stochastic model to the case of many qubits.

Event date: 23.01.2012, 14:00 to 23.01.2012, 16:00

Speaker: Dr. Alberto Montina, Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Ontario, Canada

Location: IQOQI, Seminarraum, 2nd Floor, Boltzmanngasse 3, 1090 Vienna

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