Non-Markovian Complexity in the Quantum-to-Classical Transition.

The quantum-to-classical transition is due to environment-induced decoherence, and it depicts how classical dynamics emerges from quantum systems. Previously, the quantum-to-classical transition has mainly been described with memory-less (Markovian) quantum processes. Here we study the complexity of the quantum-to-classical transition through general non-Markovian memory processes. That is, the influence of various reservoirs results in a given initial quantum state evolving into one of the following four scenarios: thermal state, thermal-like state, quantum steady state, or oscillating quantum nonstationary state. In the latter two scenarios, the system maintains partial or full quantum coherence due to the strong non-Markovian memory effect, so that in these cases, the quantum-to-classical transition never occurs. This unexpected new feature provides a new avenue for the development of future quantum technologies because the remaining quantum oscillations in steady states are decoherence-free.

A tale of two speeds: challenges for research universities.

This manuscript represents a presentation to the Annual Conference of the Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Neurobiology Chairpersons. The author is responding to the question, "How can university administrations nurture both interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration and cooperation?" The presentation makes the point that university administrators must be cognizant of the changing dynamics of interdisciplinary and inter-institutional collaboration and cooperation due to the speed of the Internet and the speed of travel today. Those institutional leaders, and their universities, that recognize that the world has become flat will flourish, while those locked in a silo mentality will perish.