Quantum Dissipation and Quantum Measurement

Undergraduate / Graduate

This course introduces the basic tools and concepts used to describe dissipative quantum systems, where a closed quantum system (described by a Hamiltonian) interacts with a dissipative environment. We will also discuss the basic theory of weak continuous quantum measurements and basic quantum limits to measurement. Applications to quantum optics and quantum information processing will be stressed. Topics to be discussed may include quantum master equations, stochastic wavefunction evolution (i.e. quantum trajectories), quantum noise, quantum Langevin equations, and path integral approaches. The course will assume that students are comfortable with single-particle quantum mechanics at the level of a typical introductory graduate-level course.