Quantum algorithms for non-unitary time evolution of quantum systems*

Open quantum system evolution in the presence of an environment is crucial to understanding and improving many processes including the communication of quantum information and the transfer of energy. Quantum computing platforms have emerged as a promising route to modelling and predicting the behaviour of such systems. However, mapping inherently non-unitary dynamics into the unitary framework of gate-based quantum algorithms is a challenging task. Here, I will discuss two different density matrix gate-based quantum algorithms to predict the dynamics of open quantum systems. I will discuss the theory behind these algorithms, their extension from the Markovian to the non-Markovian regime, and applications relevant in chemistry and physics.