Quantum stochastic synchronization

Phys Rev Lett. 2006 Nov 24;97(21):210601. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.97.210601. Epub 2006 Nov 21.

Abstract

We study, within the spin-boson dynamics, the synchronization of a quantum tunneling system with an external, time-periodic driving signal. As a main result, we find that at a sufficiently large system-bath coupling strength (i.e., for a friction strength alpha > 1) the thermal noise plays a constructive role in yielding forced synchronization. This noise-induced synchronization can occur when the driving frequency is larger than the zero-temperature tunneling rate. As an application evidencing the effect, we consider the charge transfer dynamics in molecular complexes.