Complete parameterization, and invariance, of diffusive quantum trajectories for Markovian open systems

The state matrix rho for an open quantum system with Markovian evolution obeys a master equation. The master equation evolution can be unraveled into stochastic nonlinear trajectories for a pure state P, such that on average P reproduces rho. Here we give for the first time a complete parameterization of all diffusive unravelings (in which P evolves continuously but non-differentiably in time). We give an explicit measurement theory interpretation for these quantum trajectories, in terms of monitoring the system's environment. We also introduce new classes of diffusive unravelings that are invariant under the linear operator transformations under which the master equation is invariant. We illustrate these invariant unravelings by numerical simulations. Finally, we discuss generalized gauge transformations as a method of connecting apparently disparate descriptions of the same trajectories by stochastic Schrodinger equations, and their invariance properties. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.