Survival of quantum features in the dynamics of a dissipative quantum system and their effect on the state purity

Destruction of the quantum mechanical features of matter by decoherence restricts the applicability of quantum technologies. The limited information of the quantum features (such as coherence) in the basis-dependent observations urges the use of a basis-independent quantity for a better understanding. In this context, the state purity of a quantum system (composed of quantized pigments immersed in a noisy protein environment) is studied with a numerically exact hierarchical equations of motion approach over the wide range of the parameter domain (with the main focus on the nonzero-energy gradient). It is noted that the state purity does not necessarily reflect any significant information about the persistence of quantum features (in the dissipative environment), even when the quantum coherence survives at the steady state in both the localized and the eigenstate basis.

Automated summary

The destruction of quantum mechanical features by decoherence limits the applicability of quantum technologies. Limited information about quantum features in basis-dependent observations necessitates the use of basis-independent quantities for better understanding. Research shows that even when quantum coherence survives in both localized and eigenstate bases at steady state, state purity may not necessarily reflect the persistence of quantum features.