Monte Carlo wave functions and nonlinear master equations

Abstract

The Monte Carlo wave-function method has recently proved to be an efficient tool in the analysis of linear dissipative quantum systems, i.e., systems with linear equations of motion for their density matrix. We generalize this method to systems with nonlinear master equations of a parametrized Lindblad form, which includes master equations obtained by Hartree-Fock approximations. Convergence properties of the algorithm are discussed in detail. The method is illustrated by a numerical analysis of the bosonic enhancement of laser cooling of trapped particles. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.