Non-Hermitian quantum dynamics of a two-level system and models of dissipative environments

Abstract

We consider a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian in order to effectively describe a two-level system coupled to a generic dissipative environment. The total Hamiltonian of the model is obtained by adding a general anti-Hermitian part, depending on four parameters, to the Hermitian Hamiltonian of a tunneling two-level system. The time evolution is formulated and derived in terms of the normalized density operator of the model, different types of decays are revealed and analyzed. In particular, the population difference and coherence are defined and calculated analytically. We have been able to mimic various physical situations with different properties, such as dephasing, vanishing population difference and purification.