Strong friction limit in quantum mechanics: The quantum Smoluchowski equation - art. no. 086802

Authors
Ankerhold, J Pechukas, P Grabert, H
Citation
J. Ankerhold et al., Strong friction limit in quantum mechanics: The quantum Smoluchowski equation - art. no. 086802, PHYS REV L, 8708(8), 2001, pp. 6802
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
ISSN journal
00319007 → ACNP
Volume
8708
Issue
8
Year of publication
2001
Database
ISI
SICI code
0031-9007(20010820)8708:8<6802:SFLIQM>2.0.ZU;2-R
Abstract
For a quantum system coupled to a heat bath environment the strong friction limit is studied starting from the exact path integral formulation. Genera lizing the classical Smoluchowski limit to low temperatures, a time evoluti on equation for the position distribution is derived and the strong role of quantum fluctuations in this limit is revealed.