Nonequilibrium quantum probing through linear response

Abstract

The formalism of linear response theory can be extended to encompass physical situations where an open quantum system evolves toward a nonequilibrium steady state. Here, we use the framework put forward by Konopik and Lutz [Phys. Rev. Res. 1, 033156 (2019)] to go beyond unitary perturbations of the dynamics. Considering an open system comprised of two coupled quantum harmonic oscillators, we study the system's response to unitary perturbations, affecting the Hamiltonian dynamics, as well as nonunitary perturbations, affecting the properties of the environment, e.g., its temperature and squeezing. We show that linear response, combined with a quantum probing approach, can effectively provide valuable quantitative information about the perturbation and characteristics of the environment, even in cases of nonunitary dynamics.