Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review E

Quantum diffusion in a fermionic bath

Sudarson Sekhar Sinha, Debasish Mondal, Bidhan Chandra Bag, Deb Shankar Ray

Published Nov 17, 2010• 17 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We propose a scheme for quantum brownian motion of a particle in a fermionic bath. Based on the spin coherent-state representation of the noise operators and a canonical thermal distribution of the associated c numbers, we derive a quantum analog of generalized Langevin equation for quantum-mechanical mean position of the particle subjected to an external force field. The approach allows us to map the quantum problem on a classical setting. The quantum dispersion around the mean can be estimated order by order by a set of quantum correction equations up to a desired degree of accuracy for a given nonlinear potential. We derive a quantum diffusion equation for free particle and show that quantization, in general, enhances the mean-square displacement. Increase in temperature leads to suppression of mean-square displacement. The method is based on canonical quantization procedure and may be used for understanding diffusive transport and thermally activated processes in a fermionic bath.

DOI
10.1103/physreve.82.051125

Related papers

Canonical formulation of quantum dissipation and noise in a generalized spin bath

Arnab Ghosh, Sudarson Sekhar Sinha, Deb Shankar Ray

The quantum dynamics of a particle coupled to the dissipative degrees of freedom of a generalized spin bath in the presence of an external force field is presented. Based on Holstein-Primakoff transformation, which sets up a mapping between boson and spin operators, we show that the spin-1/2 bath and the harmonic bath can be realized as two special limits of the generalized bath. In the large spin limit, the Hamiltonian reduces to well-known Zwanzig Hamiltonian. Making use of spin coherent states and canonical thermal distributions of the associated c numbers, we derive and explore the quantum Langevin equation and the properties of the spin and harmonic baths in the context of quantum dissipation of the system.

Physical Review E•Jul 19, 2012•11 citations

Classical and Quantum Brownian Motion

Roumen Tsekov

In the frames of classical mechanics the generalized Langevin equation is derived for an arbitrary mechanical subsystem coupled to the harmonic bath of a solid. A time-acting temperature operator is introduced for the quantum Klein-Kramers and Smoluchowski equations, accounting for the effect of the quantum thermal bath oscillators. The model of Brownian emitters is theoretically studied and the relevant evolutionary equations for the probability density are derived. The Schrodinger equation is explained via collisions of the target point particles with the quantum force carriers, transmitting the fundamental interactions between the point particles. Thus, electrons and other point particles are no waves and the wavy chapter of quantum mechanics originated for the force carriers. A stochastic Lorentz-Langevin equation is proposed to describe the underlaying Brownian-like motion of the point particles in quantum mechanics. Considering the Brownian dynamics in the frames of the Bohmian mechanics, the density functional Bohm-Langevin equation is proposed, and the relevant Smoluchowski-Bohm equation is derived. A nonlinear master equation is proposed by proper quantization of the classical Klein-Kramers equation. Its equilibrium solution in the exact canonical Gibbs density operator, while the well-known Caldeira-Leggett equation is simply a linearization at high temperature. In the case of a free quantum Brownian particles, a new law for the spreading of the wave packet it discovered, which represents the quantum generalization of the classical Einstein law of Brownian motion. A new projector operator is proposed for the collapse of the wave function of a quantum particle moving in a classical environment. Its application results in dissipative Schrodinger equations, as well as in a new form of dissipative Liouville equation in classical mechanics.

arXiv:2105.05646•Jan 1, 2021•2 citations

Approach to quantum Kramers’ equation and barrier crossing dynamics

Dhruba Banerjee, Bidhan Chandra Bag, Suman Kumar Banik +1 more

We have presented a simple approach to quantum theory of Brownian motion and barrier crossing dynamics. Based on an initial coherent state representation of bath oscillators and an equilibrium canonical distribution of quantum-mechanical mean values of their co-ordinates and momenta we have derived a c number generalized quantum Langevin equation. The approach allows us to implement the method of classical non-Markovian Brownian motion to realize an exact generalized non-Markovian quantum Kramers' equation. The equation is valid for arbitrary temperature and friction. We have solved this equation in the spatial diffusion-limited regime to derive quantum Kramers' rate of barrier crossing and analyze its variation as a function of the temperature and friction. While almost all the earlier theories rest on quasiprobability distribution functions (e.g., Wigner function) and path integral methods, the present work is based on true probability distribution functions and is independent of path integral techniques. The theory is a natural extension of the classical theory to quantum domain and provides a unified description of thermally activated processes and tunneling.

arXiv:quant-ph/0111005•Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics•Jan 23, 2002•55 citations

Generalized quantum Fokker-Planck, diffusion, and Smoluchowski equations with true probability distribution functions

Suman Kumar Banik, Bidhan Chandra Bag, Deb Shankar Ray

Traditionally, quantum Brownian motion is described by Fokker-Planck or diffusion equations in terms of quasiprobability 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 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 coordinates and momenta, we derive a generalized quantum Langevin equation in c 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 Smoluchowski equations are the exact quantum analogs of their classical counterparts. The present work is 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 (the Smoluchowski equation being considered in the overdamped limit).

arXiv:quant-ph/0203040•Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics•May 3, 2002•40 citations

Brownian motion of a quantum particle

Deepak Kumar

Proposed here is an exactly soluble model for the field-free motion of a quantum particle interacting with a heat bath. The heat-bath interaction includes a fluctuating random force and a frictional force of Langevin type. The momentum and position distributions obtained in the model have a close relation to the corresponding solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation of a free classical particle.

Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1984•21 citations

Hamilton's principal function for the Brownian motion of a particle and the Schrödinger–Langevin equation

Mohsen Razavy

The Brownian motion of a particle coupled to a heat bath can be derived from an exactly solvable many-body system. This motion is governed by the Langevin equation in Newtonian mechanics, and by an operator equation formally identical to the Langevin equation when the system composed of the particle plus the heat bath is quantized. To get this formal similarity between the classical and the quantal equations of motion of the particle, the classical dissipative system is formulated in terms of a modified Hamilton–Jacobi equation and is then quantized using the Schrödinger method. The result is identical with the Schrödinger–Langevin equation that has been obtained by quantizing the entire system and then isolating the motion of the particle. The non-linear wave equation describing the motion of a particle subject to conservative and time-dependent forces as well as frictional forces has been applied to the problems of motion of a wave-packet, and of the scattering and trapping of heavy-ions.

Canadian Journal of Physics•Mar 1, 1978•35 citations
We propose a scheme for quantum brownian motion of a particle in a fermionic bath. Based on the spin coherent-state representation of the noise operators and a canonical thermal distribution of the associated c numbers, we derive a quantum analog of generalized Langevin equation for quantum-mechanical mean position of the particle subjected to an external force field. The approach allows us to map the quantum problem on a classical setting. The quantum dispersion around the mean can be estimated order by order by a set of quantum correction equations up to a desired degree of accuracy for a given nonlinear potential. We derive a quantum diffusion equation for free particle and show that quantization, in general, enhances the mean-square displacement. Increase in temperature leads to suppression of mean-square displacement. The method is based on canonical quantization procedure and may be used for understanding diffusive transport and thermally activated processes in a fermionic bath.
The quantum dynamics of a particle coupled to the dissipative degrees of freedom of a generalized spin bath in the presence of an external force field is presented. Based on Holstein-Primakoff transformation, which sets up a mapping between boson and spin operators, we show that the spin-1/2 bath and the harmonic bath can be realized as two special limits of the generalized bath. In the large spin limit, the Hamiltonian reduces to well-known Zwanzig Hamiltonian. Making use of spin coherent states and canonical thermal distributions of the associated c numbers, we derive and explore the quantum Langevin equation and the properties of the spin and harmonic baths in the context of quantum dissipation of the system.
In the frames of classical mechanics the generalized Langevin equation is derived for an arbitrary mechanical subsystem coupled to the harmonic bath of a solid. A time-acting temperature operator is introduced for the quantum Klein-Kramers and Smoluchowski equations, accounting for the effect of the quantum thermal bath oscillators. The model of Brownian emitters is theoretically studied and the relevant evolutionary equations for the probability density are derived. The Schrodinger equation is explained via collisions of the target point particles with the quantum force carriers, transmitting the fundamental interactions between the point particles. Thus, electrons and other point particles are no waves and the wavy chapter of quantum mechanics originated for the force carriers. A stochastic Lorentz-Langevin equation is proposed to describe the underlaying Brownian-like motion of the point particles in quantum mechanics. Considering the Brownian dynamics in the frames of the Bohmian mechanics, the density functional Bohm-Langevin equation is proposed, and the relevant Smoluchowski-Bohm equation is derived. A nonlinear master equation is proposed by proper quantization of the classical Klein-Kramers equation. Its equilibrium solution in the exact canonical Gibbs density operator, while the well-known Caldeira-Leggett equation is simply a linearization at high temperature. In the case of a free quantum Brownian particles, a new law for the spreading of the wave packet it discovered, which represents the quantum generalization of the classical Einstein law of Brownian motion. A new projector operator is proposed for the collapse of the wave function of a quantum particle moving in a classical environment. Its application results in dissipative Schrodinger equations, as well as in a new form of dissipative Liouville equation in classical mechanics.
We have presented a simple approach to quantum theory of Brownian motion and barrier crossing dynamics. Based on an initial coherent state representation of bath oscillators and an equilibrium canonical distribution of quantum-mechanical mean values of their co-ordinates and momenta we have derived a c number generalized quantum Langevin equation. The approach allows us to implement the method of classical non-Markovian Brownian motion to realize an exact generalized non-Markovian quantum Kramers' equation. The equation is valid for arbitrary temperature and friction. We have solved this equation in the spatial diffusion-limited regime to derive quantum Kramers' rate of barrier crossing and analyze its variation as a function of the temperature and friction. While almost all the earlier theories rest on quasiprobability distribution functions (e.g., Wigner function) and path integral methods, the present work is based on true probability distribution functions and is independent of path integral techniques. The theory is a natural extension of the classical theory to quantum domain and provides a unified description of thermally activated processes and tunneling.
Traditionally, quantum Brownian motion is described by Fokker-Planck or diffusion equations in terms of quasiprobability 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 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 coordinates and momenta, we derive a generalized quantum Langevin equation in c 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 Smoluchowski equations are the exact quantum analogs of their classical counterparts. The present work is 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 (the Smoluchowski equation being considered in the overdamped limit).
The Brownian motion of a particle coupled to a heat bath can be derived from an exactly solvable many-body system. This motion is governed by the Langevin equation in Newtonian mechanics, and by an operator equation formally identical to the Langevin equation when the system composed of the particle plus the heat bath is quantized. To get this formal similarity between the classical and the quantal equations of motion of the particle, the classical dissipative system is formulated in terms of a modified Hamilton–Jacobi equation and is then quantized using the Schrödinger method. The result is identical with the Schrödinger–Langevin equation that has been obtained by quantizing the entire system and then isolating the motion of the particle. The non-linear wave equation describing the motion of a particle subject to conservative and time-dependent forces as well as frictional forces has been applied to the problems of motion of a wave-packet, and of the scattering and trapping of heavy-ions.