Irreversibilities in Quantum... | Buy

This book presents a unified theoretical and conceptual framework for the description of various irreversible phenomena in quantum mechanics. The general theory of irreversible processes is applied to specific physical models and situations such as energy and electron transfer processes, tunnelling in condensed media, superradiance, etc. Special attention is given to memory effects in relaxation processes and dissipationless states in dissipative systems. A separate chapter is devoted to the problem of irreversibility in quantum measurements. Audience: This book will be of interest to postgraduate students and specialists in quantum mechanics, statistical physics, and chemical physics. The work may serve as a complementary text for quantum mechanics courses.

Foreword

vii

Introduction

ix

Quantum-Theoretical Basis. Density Matrix

1

(23)

Basic concepts

1

(2)

Various representations of physical quantities

3

(2)

Quantum state and statistical ensembles

5

(1)

The wave function

6

(4)

Entropy of quantum ensembles

10

(1)

Pure and mixed states. Proper mixtures

11

(6)

Transition probability per unit time

17

(5)

Continuous spectrum of energies and irreversibility

22

(2)

Quantum Theory of Relaxation Processes

24

(40)

Exact equation describing temporal behavior of interacting dissipative and dynamic systems

25

(3)

Relaxation of the dissipative system. Markovian approximation

28

(5)

Equations for density matrix of dynamic systems

33

(5)

Generalized master equations

38

(3)

Time convolutionless equations. Argyres and Kelley projection operators and reduced dynamics

41

(6)

Semigroup theory of irreversible processes

47

(5)

Master equations for dynamic systems

52

(12)

Appendix A. The factorization approximation

58

(3)

Appendix B. The third order correction in time convolutionless equations

61

(3)

Interaction With Phonons and Molecular Vibrations

64

(42)

Description of time-dependent electron-nuclear system in the Born-Oppenheimer approximation

64

(2)

Phonons. Phonon-phonon interaction and relaxation

66

(4)

Two-state electronic systems

70

(5)

Radiationless transitions. Basic models of electron and energy transfer

75

(3)

Tunneling in condensed media

78

(4)

Equations of motion of the two-state electronic (nuclear) system interacting with vibrations of the medium

82

(3)

Calculation of rate coefficients

85

(7)

The energy gap law

92

(6)

Mutual influence of the dynamic and the dissipative systems. Instabilities in thermal baths

98

(8)

Interaction With Photons

106

(28)

Interaction of matter with the electromagnetic field

106

(2)

A system of two-level molecules interacting with the electromagnetic field

108

(2)

Quantum theory of spontaneous and stimulated emission in a system of two-level molecules

110

(3)

Spontaneous emission vs vacuum fluctuations

113

(2)

Superradiance (small volumes L3 «λ3)

115

(2)

Large sample superradiance

117

(5)

Time-development of the superradiance (small volumes)

122

(6)

Time-development of the superradiance (large volumes)

128

(6)

Memory Effects In Relaxation Processes. Exact Solutions

134

(38)

Time-development of quantum systems: general relations

134

(3)

General criteria for emerging of dissipationless regimes

137

(3)

The configuration interaction between one discrete state and the continuum of states

140

(2)

Spontaneous emission of bosons (phonons) and tunneling in the rotating wave approximation

142

(8)

Weak coupling case (beyond RWA)

150

(6)

Semiquantitative analysis of the dissipationless regime

156

(6)

Rotating wave, Markovian, and weak coupling approximations

162

(8)

Impossibility of exponential relaxation

170

(2)

Quantum Measurement and Irreversibility

172

(29)

Another view on quantum mechanics. EPR. Bell's theorems. Nonlocality

172

(9)

Reduction of the wave packet

181

(4)

Reduction of the wave packet as a result of interaction with the dissipative system

185

(4)

Measurement of spins in the Stern-Gerlach experiment

189

(6)

Realization of quantum measurement by the irreversible relaxation process

195

(2)

Gedanken experiments: measurement of the z-component of spin 1/2

197

(4)

Concluding Remarks

201

(4)

References

205

(6)

Index

211

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.