23 research outputs found
Generalized quantum Fokker-Planck, diffusion and Smoluchowski equations with true probability distribution functions
Traditionally, the quantum Brownian motion is described by Fokker-Planck or
diffusion equations in terms of quasi-probability distribution functions, e.g.,
Wigner functions. These often become singular or negative in the full quantum
regime. In this paper a simple approach to non-Markovian theory of quantum
Brownian motion using {\it true probability distribution functions} is
presented. Based on an initial coherent state representation of the bath
oscillators and an equilibrium canonical distribution of the quantum mechanical
mean values of their co-ordinates and momenta we derive a generalized quantum
Langevin equation in -numbers and show that the latter is amenable to a
theoretical analysis in terms of the classical theory of non-Markovian
dynamics. The corresponding Fokker-Planck, diffusion and the Smoluchowski
equations are the {\it exact} quantum analogues of their classical
counterparts. The present work is {\it independent} of path integral
techniques. The theory as developed here is a natural extension of its
classical version and is valid for arbitrary temperature and friction
(Smoluchowski equation being considered in the overdamped limit).Comment: RevTex, 16 pages, 7 figures, To appear in Physical Review E (minor
revision
Molecular Dynamics for Fermions
The time-dependent variational principle for many-body trial states is used
to discuss the relation between the approaches of different molecular dynamics
models to describe indistinguishable fermions. Early attempts to include
effects of the Pauli principle by means of nonlocal potentials as well as more
recent models which work with antisymmetrized many-body states are reviewed
under these premises.
Keywords: Many-body theory; Fermion system; Molecular dynamics; Wave-packet
dynamics; Time-dependent variational principle; Statistical properties;
Canonical ensemble; Ergodicity; Time averagingComment: 97 pages, 13 postscript figures. To be published in July 2000 issue
of Reviews of Modern Physics. More information at http://www-aix.gsi.de/~fmd