Quantum dynamics in nonequilibrium environments

Abstract

We present a formalism for studying the behaviour of quantum systems coupled to nonequilibrium environments exhibiting nonGaussian fluctuations. We discuss the role of a qubit as a detector of the statistics of environmental fluctuations, as well as nonMarkovian effects in both weak and strong coupling limits. We also discuss the differences between the influences of classical and quantum environments. As examples of the application of this formalism we study the dephasing and relaxation of a charge qubit coupled to nonequillibrium electron transport through single and double quantum dots.