Quantum Evolution beyond the Markovian Semigroup — Generalizing the Stenholm–Barnett Approach

Abstract

We provide conditions for the memory kernel governing the time-nonlocal quantum master equation which guarantee that the corresponding dynamical map is completely positive and trace-preserving. This approach gives rise to the new parametrization of dynamical maps in terms of two completely positive maps – so-called legitimate pair. In fact, these new parameterizations are a natural generalization of Markovian semigroup. Interestingly our class contains recently studied models like semi-Markov evolution and collision models.