BIRS Workshop — Non-Markovianity in Open Quantum Systems

The workshop deals with the behaviour of quantum objects (atoms, molecules...) which are subjected to external noises (light, vibrations...). The objects are very `tiny'; they react drastically to the slightest contact with their surroundings. Understanding and modelling the dynamical processes is the central task of the theory of open quantum systems. Examples of open systems are molecules in plants exposed to sunlight (→ photosynthesis), or basic building blocks (quantum bits) in a quantum computer, mounted on a substrate. We focus on the role of memory in the open system dynamics, a situation occurring in many physically/chemically/biologically relevant situations. Information between the objects and the surroundings is passed back and forth (and not forgotten) during the interaction. This leads to challenging mathematical models and analytical problems, as well as to potentially very useful practical applications.