On generalized semi-Markov quantum evolution

Abstract

We provide a large class of quantum evolution governed by the memory kernel master equation. This class defines quantum analog of so called semi-Markov classical stochastic evolution. In this Letter for the first time we provide a proper definition of quantum semi-Markov evolution and using the appropriate gauge freedom we propose a suitable generalization which contains majority of examples considered so far in the literature. The key concepts are quantum counterparts of classical waiting time distribution and survival probability -- quantum waiting time operator and quantum survival operator, respectively. In particular collision models and its generalizations considered recently are special examples of generalized semi-Markov evolution. This approach allows for an interesting generalization of trajectory description of the quantum dynamics in terms of POVM densities.