Ensemble Variational Quantum Algorithm for Non-Markovian Quantum Dynamics

Abstract: Many physical and chemical processes in the condensed phase environment exhibit non-Markovian quantum dynamics. As such simulations are challenging on classical computers, we developed a variational quantum algorithm that is capable of simulating non-Markovian dynamics on NISQ devices. We used a quantum system linearly coupled to its harmonic bath as the model Hamiltonian. The non-Markovianity is captured by introducing auxiliary variables from the bath trajectories. With Monte Carlo sampling of the bath degrees of freedom, finite temperature dynamics is produced. We validated the algorithm on the simulator and demonstrated its performance on the IBM quantum device. The framework developed is naturally adapted to any anharmonic bath with non-linear coupling to the system, and is also well suited for simulating spin chain dynamics in a dissipative environment.