TUNNELING WITH DISSIPATION IN OPEN QUANTUM-SYSTEMS

Based on the general form of the master equation for open quantum syst ems the tunneling is considered. Using the path integral technique a s imple expression for the tunneling rate through a parabolic barrier is obtained. The tunneling strongly depends on the coupling with the env ironment. Especially, the dependence on the friction and diffusion in the coordinate is shown and discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.