Commutation simulator for open quantum dynamics

Abstract

Recent progress in quantum simulation and algorithms has demonstrated a rapid expansion in capabilities. The search continues for new techniques and applications to exploit quantum advantage. Here we propose an innovative method to investigate directly the properties of a time-dependent density operator $\hat{\rho}(t)$. Using generalised quantum commutation simulators, we can directly compute the expectation value of the commutation relation and thus of the rate of change of $\hat{\rho}(t)$. The approach can be utilised as a quantum eigen-vector solver for the von Neumann equation and a decoherence investigator for the Lindblad equation, by using just the statistics of single-qubit measurements. A simple but important example is demonstrated in the single-qubit case and we discuss extension of the method for practical quantum simulation with many qubits, towards investigation of more realistic quantum systems.