An Introduction to Open Quantum Systems

Abstract

The main purpose of this project is to serve as a self-contained and properly motivated introduction to the theoretical framework of open quantum systems and its uses. Starting by revisiting the already well-known postulates that cement quantum mechanics, a reformulation of such postulates is proposed so that new powerful mathematical tools arise naturally on the way. After introducing such tools, two different approaches are followed to derive the master equation that governs the evolution of open quantum systems, i.e., the Lindblad equation. Finally, as an application of this equation, the effect of measurements on the evolution of a two-level atom in an electromagnetic field is studied.