Effective Evolution of Open Quantum Systems

科学家们用数学来描述各种现象。天气预报、政治投票、金融和消费市场的演变、交通流量，都是由特定的数学方程建模的。解决这些问题通常就等于看到了未来，并让我们了解到自己可以如何影响未来。当然，预测和操纵未来并不是那么简单。首先，我们只能建立现实的近似模型，无法捕捉到所有方面。一般来说，更复杂的模型能更好地描述自然，但由此产生的方程变得（无可救药地）难以解决。这样一来，人们就会得到有效的方程，这些方程只关注系统的一小部分，而不必描述它所接触的复杂环境的每一个小细节。******我的研究重点是服从Schrödinger量子理论方程的系统，例如相互作用的基本粒子（电子、原子核、原子、分子）和与辐射相互作用的物质（电磁场、光）。长期以来，量子理论在数学、物理、化学以及最近的生物学中发挥着重要作用。为了降低复杂性，人们通常只描述系统的一部分，比如分子中的特定原子或固定在衬底上的几个量子位（量子计算机的基本构建块）。这部分（原子、量子位）被称为开放系统，因为它与一个复杂的“外部”系统相互作用，称为环境（分子、基质）。******我的目标是(1)推导开放量子系统的有效方程，(2)分析这些方程的解。在过去的几年里，我与其他科学家合作，一直在发展量子动力学共振理论，以实现这些目标。除了受到基础研究进展的激励外，我希望能够找到在应用中有用的新技术。例如，我们最近推导并解决了一个有效的量子方程，描述了藻类光合作用中发生的化学过程。我们发现了工艺速度如何取决于某些参数（温度、光照强度……）。所以现在人们可能会尝试优化速度来加速反应，这与生物燃料生产实验有关。******当我与理论物理学家、化学家和生物学家合作时，我的方法是基于严格的数学方法。它涉及到来自数学分析的工具，如（无限维，非正常）算子的谱理论，C*-和冯·诺伊曼代数理论，量子场论和概率论。******在接下来的五年里，我将进一步推动动力共振理论。我将采取的方向是由数学创新，创造新技术，并通过物理相关性，解决与相关学科的科学家联盟确定的关键问题。

Scientists use mathematics to characterize all kinds of phenomena. Weather forecasting, political polling, the evolution of financial and consumer markets, traffic flow, are all modeled by specific mathematical equations. Solving the equations is often tantamount to seeing the future and gives insight into how one could influence it. Of course, predicting and manipulating the future is not quite so simple. For one thing, we can only build approximate models of reality, unable to capture all aspects. Generally, more complex models describe nature better, but the resulting equations become (hopelessly) hard to solve. One is then led to come up with effective equations, which focus on a small part of a system only, without having to describe every little detail of the complex surroundings with which it is in contact. ******My research focuses on systems obeying the Schrödinger equation of quantum theory, such as elementary particles interacting with each other (electrons, nuclei, atoms, molecules) and matter interacting with radiation (electromagnetic field, light). Quantum theory has long played an important role in mathematics, physics, chemistry and more recently also in biology. To reduce complexity, one often describes part of a system only, say a specific atom in a molecule or a few qubits pinned on a substrate (basic building blocks of a quantum computer). That part (atom, qubits) is called an open system, as it interacts with a complex `outside' system, called an environment (molecule, substrate). ******My continuing goal is to (1) derive effective equations for open quantum systems and (2) analyze the solutions of those equations. In collaboration with other scientists, I have been developing the quantum dynamical resonance theory to reach these goals over the past few years. Other than being motivated by progressing fundamental research, I hope to be able to find new techniques useful in applications. As an example, we recently derived and solved an effective quantum equation describing chemical processes happening in photosynthesis in algae. We found how exactly the process speed depends on certain parameters (temperature, light intensity...). So now one might try to optimize the speed to accelerate the reaction, which is relevant in biofuel production experiments. ******While I collaborate with theoretical physicists, chemists and biologists, my approach is based on mathematically rigorous methods. It involves tools from mathematical analysis, like the spectral theory of (infinite-dimensional, non-normal) operators, C*- and von Neumann algebra theory, quantum field theory and probability theory. ******Over the next five years, I will push the dynamical resonance theory further. The direction I will take is motivated by mathematical innovation, creating new techniques, and by physical relevance, addressing crucial issues identified in alliance with scientists of related disciplines.