Phase transitions in the classical simulability of open quantum systems

Abstract

We introduce a Langevin unravelling of the density matrix evolution of an open quantum system over matrix product states, which we term the time-dependent variational principle-Langevin equation. This allows the study of entanglement dynamics as a function of both temperature and coupling to the environment. As the strength of coupling to and temperature of the environment is increased, we find a transition where the entanglement of the individual trajectories saturates, permitting a classical simulation of the system for all times. This is the Hamiltonian open system counterpart of the saturation in entanglement found in random circuits with projective or weak measurements. If a system is open, there is a limit to the advantage in simulating its behaviour on a quantum computer, even when that evolution harbours important quantum effects. Moreover, if a quantum simulator is in this phase, it cannot simulate with quantum advantage.