Operation Mpemba effect: Breakdown of resource-Markovianity of free dynamics

Abstract: The Mpemba effect refers to faster relaxation of states that are initially farther from equilibrium, yet its characterization is often tied to a chosen distance or resource measure. We introduce resource-Markovianity, an extended concept of quantum Markovianity to quantum resource theories, and formulate the resource Mpemba effect operationally as the breaking of resource-Markovianity by a relaxation operation. This yields a measure-independent operational characterization of resource Mpemba effects in general resource theories, together with quantitative characterizations based on resource-non-Markovianity measures. We illustrate the framework with the Mpemba effect for distinguishability of states, due to its relation to quantum Markovianity, and with the thermomajorization Mpemba effect from an operational perspective. These results reveal a deep interplay between quantum resources, non-Markovianity, and the Mpemba effect.