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Dissipation and Decoherence in a Quantum Oscillator

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Abstract

The time development of the reduced density matrix for a quantum oscillator damped by coupling it to an ohmic environment is calculated via an identity of the Debye-Waller form. Results obtained some years ago by Hakim and the author in the free-particle limit(10) are thus recovered. The evolution of a free particle in a prepared initial state is examined, and a previously published exchange(5,9) is illuminated with figures showing no decoherence without dissipation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 14853

    Vinay Ambegaokar

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  1. Vinay Ambegaokar
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PACS number: 03.75.Ss

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Ambegaokar, V. Dissipation and Decoherence in a Quantum Oscillator. J Stat Phys 125, 1183–1192 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10955-005-8018-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10955-005-8018-6

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