What problem does it solve?
QuTiP helps you simulate closed and open quantum systems so you can analyze quantum dynamics like unitary evolution, decoherence, and measurement backaction without writing a full solver from scratch.
Core Features & Use Cases
- Closed-system evolution (unitary dynamics): Run Schrödinger dynamics with
sesolve to track state evolution and observables.
- Open-system dynamics (Lindblad master equations): Use
mesolve with collapse operators to model dissipation, decoherence, and steady states.
- Quantum trajectories and advanced physics: Simulate quantum jumps (
mcsolve) and non-Markovian/periodic-drive scenarios (e.g., HEOM, Floquet methods), then visualize results (Bloch sphere, Wigner, Fock distributions).
- Use Case Example: Model a damped harmonic oscillator and plot the photon number decay over time, then compare with steady-state or entanglement metrics when you extend to two-qubit systems.
Quick Start
Run a damped harmonic oscillator simulation by installing QuTiP, defining H, c_ops, and a time grid, then calling mesolve with e_ops to compute expectation values.