Geometric signature of non-Markovian dynamics

Abstract: Non-Markovian effects of an open system dynamics are typically characterized by non-monotonic information flows from the system to its environment or information backflows from the environment to the system. By using a two-level system (TLS) coupled to a dissipative single-mode cavity, we show that the geometric decoherence of the open quantum system of interest can serve as a reliable witness of non-Markovian dynamics. This geometric approach can also reveal the finer details about the dynamics such as the time points where the non-Markovian behaviors come into operation. Specifically, we show that the divergence of the geometric decoherence factor of the TLS can be a sufficient condition for the non-Markovian dynamics. Remarkably, it can even become a necessary and sufficient condition in certain cases.