Simulation of open quantum dynamics and investigation of quantum correlations in finite systems

• Main Author: Borrelli, Massimo
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: Heriot-Watt University 2014

This thesis reports a series of theoretical studies regarding the dynamics of fewbody controllable quantum systems. Generally speaking, the main focus is on the behavior of correlations in open quantum systems and how these could be used both for applications to quantum technologies and investigations of more fundamental phenomena. The general physical setting for most of the results presented is trappedion systems. These have been proven to be an almost prefect practical platform for realizing a quantum computer. Furthermore, thanks to their exceptional degree of controllability, trapped ions have been lately employed to also simulate basic physics, ranging from condensed-matter to high-energy physics. Although the ndings in this manuscript are theoretical, real experimental parameters have been taken into account in order to provide a more realistic modeling. To this aim, a mixed of analytical and numerical methods have been extensively utilized. Concluding, we do believe that the theory developed in this thesis could be experimentally tested to give a more insightful view on open quantum system dynamics, both from a foundational and applicative point of view.