Non-Markovian quantum trajectories for spectral detection

Abstract

We present a formulation of non-Markovian quantum trajectories for open systems from a measurement theory perspective. In our treatment there are three distinct ways in which non-Markovian behavior can arise: a mode-dependent coupling between the bath (reservoir) and system, a dispersive bath, and spectral detection of the output into the bath. In the first two cases the non-Markovian behavior is intrinsic to the interaction; in the third case the non-Markovian behavior arises from the method of detection. We focus in detail on the trajectories that simulate real-time spectral detection of the light emitted from a localized system. In this case the non-Markovian behavior arises from the uncertainty in the time of emission of particles that are later detected. The results of computer simulations of the spectral detection of the spontaneous emission from a strongly driven two-level atom are presented.