Stochastic wave-function approach to non-Markovian systems

Abstract

We extend the quantum Monte Carlo wave-function method of quantum optics to non-Markovian system-reservoir interactions. The finite correlation time of the reservoir and the associated memory effects are incorporated into the dynamics by expanding the initial system using fictitious harmonic-oscillator modes, which have Markovian dissipative interactions. The underlying principle is the fact that a class of reservoir spectral functions can be approximated by a finite superposition of Lorentzian functions with positive coefficients.