arXiv:quant-ph/0305098 · Physical Review Letters
Relaxation and Dephasing in a Many-Fermion Generalization of the Caldeira-Leggett Model
Florian Marquardt, Dmitry S. Golubev
Abstract
We analyze a model system of fermions in a harmonic oscillator potential under the influence of a fluctuating force generated by a bath of harmonic oscillators. This represents an extension of the well-known Caldeira-Leggett model to the case of many fermions. Using the method of bosonization, we calculate Green's functions and discuss relaxation and dephasing of a single extra particle added above the Fermi sea. We also extend our analysis to a more generic coupling between system and bath that results in complete thermalization of the system.