On the Assumption of Initial Factorization in the Master Equation for Weakly Coupled Systems I: General Framework

Tasaki, S.; Yuasa, K.; Facchi, P.; Kimura, G.; Nakazato, H.; Ohba, I.; Pascazio, S.

On the Assumption of Initial Factorization in the Master Equation for Weakly Coupled Systems I: General Framework

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Description

We analyze the dynamics of a quantum mechanical system in interaction with a reservoir when the initial state is not factorized. In the weak-coupling (van Hove) limit, the dynamics can be properly described in terms of a master equation, but a consistent application of Nakajima-Zwanzig's projection method requires that the reference (not necessarily equilibrium) state of the reservoir be endowed with the mixing property.
33 pages