This book deals with the statistical mechanics and dynamics of open quantum systems moving irreversibly under the influence of a dissipative environment. The basic concepts and methods are described on the basis of a microscopic description with emphasis on the functional integral approach. The general theory for the time evolution of the density matrix of the damped system is developed. Many of the sophisticated ideas in the field are explained with simple models. The discussion includes, among others, the interplay between thermal and quantum fluctuations, quantum statistical decay, macroscopic quantum tunneling and quantum coherence.
- ISBN10 1306396166
- ISBN13 9781306396165
- Publish Date 1 January 1993
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 21 April 2015
- Publish Country US
- Imprint World Scientific Publishing Company
- Format eBook
- Pages 249
- Language English