Impressive progress has been achieved in isolating quantum systems from the environment and coherently controlling their dynamics. However, engineering the dynamics of many particles by a controlled coupling to an environment (in an 'open' quantum system) remains largely unexplored. Here, an approach is demonstrated based on ion-trap technology for simulating an open quantum system with up to five qubits. By adding controlled dissipation to coherent operations, the work offers novel prospects for open-system quantum simulation and computation.
- Julio T. Barreiro
- Markus Müller
- Rainer Blatt
