Limitations of strong coupling in non-Markovian quantum thermometry
arXiv:2510.01596 · doi:10.1103/t74h-c8kw
Abstract
We investigate quantum thermometry using a single-qubit probe embedded in a non-Markovian environment, employing the numerically exact hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) to overcome the limitations of Born-Markov approximations. Through a systematic analysis of the dynamical and steady-state behavior of the quantum signal-to-noise ratio (QSNR) for temperature estimation, we identify several key findings that challenge the conventional expectation that strong coupling necessarily enhances thermometric performance. In non-equilibrium dynamical thermometry, weak system-environment coupling generally yields the optimal QSNR, whereas in the steady-state regime, strong coupling enhances sensitivity only in the ultra-low-temperature limit, while weak coupling significantly improves precision at moderately low temperatures. To optimize performance across coupling regimes, we develop a hybrid computational framework that integrates HEOM with quantum-enhanced particle swarm optimization, enabling precise quantum dynamical control under varying coupling strengths. Our results reveal fundamental constraints and opportunities in quantum thermometry, offering practical strategies for the design of high-performance quantum thermometers operating in realistic open quantum systems.
14 pages, 7 figures, accepted by PRA
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