Dynamics of Dissipative Quantum Systemsfrom Path Integrals to Master Equations.pdfVIP

Dynamics of Dissipative Quantum Systems—from Path Integrals to Master Equations∗ Joachim Ankerhold† Physikalisches Institut, Universit¨at Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, 79104 Freiburg, Germany 3 The path integral approach offers not only an exact expression for the nonequilibrium dynamics 0 of dissipative quantum systems, but is also a convenient starting point for perturbative treatments. 0 An alternative way to explore the influence of friction in the quantum realm is based on master 2 equations which require, however, in one or the other aspect approximations. Here it is discussed under which conditions and limitations Markovian master equations can be derived from exact path p integrals thus providing a firm basis for their applicability. e S 1 1 I. INTRODUCTION ] h c Quantum systems coupled to a heat bath environment can be found almost everywhere in physics and chemistry. e Recently, challenging problems e.g. in realizing quantum computers, in manipulating Bose-Einstein condensates, or m in understanding low temperature dynamics in molecular systems have triggered a substantial amount of research. t- The description of quantum dissipative processes reaches back to the late 1960s [1], when it was mainly concerned a with weakly damped quantum optical systems. The conventional framework relied on quantum Langevin or quantum t master equations. A breakthrough beyond the limitations of the weak coupling approach was made in the early 1980s s t. [2]. Path integral techniques were shown to be powerful means to formulate the reduced dynamics of dissipative a quantum system