An elementary construction of the GKSL master equation for N-level systems

Abstract: The GKSL master equation for N-level systems provides a necessary and sufficient form for the generator of a quantum dynamical semigroup in the Schrodinger picture where the underlying Hilbert space is $\mathbb{C}^N$. In this paper we provide a detailed, self-contained, and elementary construction of the GKSL master equation for an N-level system. We also provide necessary and sufficient conditions for forms of generators of semigroups which have some, but not all, of the defining properties of quantum dynamical semigroups. We do this in such a way to illuminate how each defining property of a quantum dynamical semigroup contributes to the form of the generators.