Decoherence from spin environments

F. M. Cucchietti, J. P. Paz, and W. H. Zurek
Phys. Rev. A 72, 052113 – Published 29 November 2005

Abstract

We examine two exactly solvable models of decoherence—a central spin-system, (i) with and (ii) without a self-Hamiltonian, interacting with a collection of environment spins. In the absence of a self-Hamiltonian we show that in this model (introduced some time ago to illustrate environment-induced superselection) generic assumptions about the coupling strengths can lead to a universal (Gaussian) suppression of coherence between pointer states. On the other hand, we show that when the dynamics of the central spin is dominant a different regime emerges, which is characterized by a non-Gaussian decay and a dramatically different set of pointer states. We explore the regimes of validity of the Gaussian decay and discuss its relation to the spectral features of the environment and to the Loschmidt echo (or fidelity).

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  • Received 12 July 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.72.052113

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

F. M. Cucchietti1, J. P. Paz1,2, and W. H. Zurek1

  • 1Theoretical Division, MS B213, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA
  • 2Departmento de Física, FCEyN, UBA, Pabellón 1, Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Vol. 72, Iss. 5 — November 2005

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