Finite quantum environments as thermostats: an analysis based on the Hilbert space average method

J. Gemmer () and M. Michel

The European Physical Journal B: Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, 2006, vol. 53, issue 4, 517-528

Abstract: We consider discrete quantum systems coupled to finite environments which may possibly consist of only one particle in contrast to the standard baths which usually consist of continua of oscillators, spins, etc. We find that such finite environments may, nevertheless, act as thermostats, i.e., equilibrate the system though not necessarily in the way predicted by standard open system techniques. Thus, we apply a novel technique called the Hilbert space Average Method (HAM) and verify its results numerically. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2006

Keywords: 03.65.Yz Decoherence; open systems; quantum statistical methods, 05.70.Ln Nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics, 05.30.-d Quantum statistical mechanics, (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.1140/epjb/e2006-00407-3

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