Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: We consider a quantum system that is partitioned into a subsystem and a bath. Starting from the Wigner transform of the von Neumann equation for the quantum-mechanical density matrix of the entire system, the quantum-classical Wigner-Liouville equation is obtained in the limit where the masses M of the bath particles are large as compared with the masses m of the subsystem particles. The structure of this equation is discussed and it is shown how the abstract operator form of the quantum-classical Liouville equation is obtained by taking the inverse Wigner transform on the subsystem. Solutions in terms of classical trajectory segments and quantum transition or momentum jumps are described.
Authors: Kapral, R., Sergi, A., Сергі, А.
Institution: University of Toronto
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7220622693