title: Transient unidirectional energy flow and diode-like phenomenon induced by non-Markovian environments.
abstract: Relying on an exact time evolution scheme, we identify a novel transient energy transfer phenomenon in an exactly-solvable quantum microscopic model consisting of a three-level system coupled to two non-Markovian zero-temperature bosonic baths through two separable quantum channels. The dynamics of this model can be solved exactly using the quantum-state-diffusion equation formalism, demonstrating finite intervals of unidirectional energy flow across the system, typically, from the non-Markovian environment towards the more Markovian bath. Furthermore, when introducing a spatial asymmetry into the system, an analogue of the rectification effect is realized. In the long time limit, the dynamics arrives at a stationary state and the effects recede. Understanding temporal characteristics of directional energy flow will aid in designing microscopic energy transfer devices.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Atomic and Molecular Physics and Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, Jilin, China.|Department of Theoretical Physics and History of Science, The Basque Country University (EHU/UPV), PO Box 644, and Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jing
authors.affiliation: Chemical Physics Theory Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George St., Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
authors.forename: Dvira
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Segal
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Centre for Computational Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117542, Republic of Singapore.
authors.forename: Baowen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Theoretical Physics and History of Science, The Basque Country University (EHU/UPV), PO Box 644, and Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011 Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: Lian-Ao
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Wu