Journal of Physics A Mathematical and General
Inversion method approach to the quantum kinetic equation: inhomogeneous case
Jun Koide
Abstract
The inversion method to derive the quantum kinetic equation is extended to the case of an inhomogeneous system. Within the closed-time-path formalism, the source is introduced to probe the (Fourier transform of the) Wigner distribution function and the equation of motion for the Wigner function is derived perturbatively by the inversion formulae. The equation of motion has the form of the generalized Boltzmann equation, which is non-local in space and time. For the obtained kinetic equation, the local conservation laws of number, energy and momentum are confirmed.