The Diffusion Equation for the Density Matrix

Mark Linne

Ke Zhang, Lanlan Li, Gang Ren +2 more

As is well known, the evolution of quantum state can be replaced by its Wigner function’s time evolution. The Wigner function of a quantum state is the same as the density matrix of a quantum state, because they both contain many messages, such as the probability distribution and phases. Thus, the important information about the quantum state in the evolution process can be obtained more quickly and effectively by studying the Wigner function of a quantum state. In this paper, based on the classical diffusion equation, the diffusion equation of the quantum state density operator is derived by using the P representation of the density operator. Furthermore, by introducing the Weyl ordering symbol of the quantum operator, the corresponding Weyl quantization scheme is given. In addition, the evolution equation of Wigner operator in diffusion channel is established by using another phase space representation of density operator—Wigner function, and the solution form of Wigner operator is given. In this paper, we derive the evolution law of Wigner operator in quantum diffusion channel for the first time, that is, the form of Wigner operator at any time in the evolution process. Based on this conclusion, the evolution of coherent states through quantum diffusion channels is discussed.

Mark Linne

Gene Lamm

An alternative to the standard Metropolis-based approach for evaluating quantum statistical mechanical ensemble averages is introduced. The method is based on the close similarity between the Bloch equation and the Smoluchowski diffusion equation. Stochastic ‘‘Bloch trajectories’’ are constructed from local solutions to the Bloch equation for the density matrix and used to evaluate Boltzmann ensemble averages and partition functions. This is analogous to the use of Brownian dynamics trajectories in diffusion calculations. Sample results for selected one-dimensional systems are presented and the extension to multidimensional problems is discussed.

Г. А. Варданян, G S Mkrtchyan

W. Scheid, Аурелиан Исар, Aurel Sǎndulescu

An open quantum system is studied consisting of a particle moving in a spherical space with an infinite wall. With the theory of Lindblad the system is described by a density matrix which gets affected by operators with diffusive and dissipative properties depending on the linear momentum and density matrix only. It is shown that an infinite number of basis states leads to an infinite energy because of the infinite unsteadiness of the potential energy at the infinite wall. Therefore only a solution with a finite number of basis states can be performed. A slight approximation is introduced into the equation of motion in order that the trace of the density matrix remains constant in time. The equation of motion is solved by the method of searching eigenvalues. As a side-product two sums over the zeros of spherical Bessel functions are found.