Universal spectra of random Lindblad operators

Abstract

To understand the typical dynamics of an open quantum system in continuous time, we introduce an ensemble of random Lindblad operators, which generate completely positive Markovian evolution in the space of the density matrices. The spectral properties of these operators, including the shape of the eigenvalue distribution in the complex plane, are evaluated by using methods of free probabilities and explained with non-Hermitian random matrix models. We also demonstrate the universality of the spectral features. The notion of an ensemble of random generators of Markovian quantum evolution constitutes a step towards categorization of dissipative quantum chaos.