Quantum simulation of the Lindblad equation using a unitary decomposition of operators

Accurate simulation of the time evolution of a quantum system under the influence of an environment is critical to making accurate predictions in chemistry, condensed-matter physics, and materials sciences. Whereas there has been a recent surge in interest in quantum algorithms for the prediction of nonunitary time evolution in quantum systems, few studies offer a direct quantum analog to the Lindblad equation. Here, we present a quantum algorithm-utilizing a decomposition of nonunitary operators approach-that models dynamic processes via the unraveled Lindblad equation. This algorithm is employed to probe both a two-level system in an amplitude damping channel as well as the transverse field Ising model in a variety of parameter regimes; the resulting population dynamics demonstrate excellent agreement with classical simulation, showing the promise of predicting population dynamics utilizing quantum devices for a variety of important systems in molecular energy transport, quantum optics, and other open quantum systems.

Automated summary

Accurate simulation of quantum systems' time evolution under the influence of an environment is crucial for predicting phenomena in chemistry, condensed-matter physics, and materials sciences. This study presents a quantum algorithm that utilizes a decomposition of nonunitary operators to model dynamic processes, demonstrating the potential of predicting population dynamics using quantum devices in important systems such as molecular energy transport and quantum optics.