An open quantum system (OQS) describes a quantum mechanical system which interacts with an external environment. In general, this interaction can significantly modify the dynamics of the system leading to the phenomena of dissipation and decoherence.
The formalism of open quantum systems is a powerful tool to describe non-equilibrium processes, which are fundamental to many phenomena in nuclear- and high-energy physics.
Lately, there has been remarkable progress in the utilization of the open quantum system paradigm to many challenging problems including quarkonium- and jet-physics, neutrino physics, and cosmology, while also emphasizing connections with quantum information.
With new applications of open quantum systems appearing on a daily basis, the time is ripe to bring together experts from different fields for an interdisciplinary exchange of tools and methods.
With this MITP program we aim to address the challenges in the application of OQS methods shared among the disciplines and enable the study of new systems and phenomena with this toolset. This promises to enable the study of important problems in the context of high-energy physics and cosmology.
