Canonically consistent quantum master equation

Abstract: We put forth a new class of quantum master equations that correctly reproduce the asymptotic state of an open quantum system beyond the infinitesimally weak system-bath coupling limit. Our method is based on incorporating the knowledge of the reduced steady state into its dynamics. The correction not only steers the reduced system towards a correct steady state but also improves the accuracy of the dynamics, thereby refining the archetypal Born-Markov weak-coupling second-order master equations. In case of equilibrium, since a closed form for the steady state exists in terms of a mean force Gibbs state, we utilize this form to correct the Redfield quantum master equation. Using an exactly solvable harmonic oscillator system we benchmark our approach with the exact solution showing that our method also helps correcting the long-standing issue of positivity violation, albeit without complete positivity. Our method of a canonically consistent quantum master equation, opens a new perspective in the theory of open quantum systems leading to a reduced density matrix accurate beyond the commonly used Redfield and Lindblad equations, while retaining the same conceptual and numerical complexity.