Quantum linear Boltzmann equation with finite intercollision time

2009/05/25 by Lajos Diosi, Lajos Diósi · 5 citations
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Boltzmann constant #Boltzmann equation #Classical mechanics #Coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) #Mathematical physics #Momentum (technical analysis) #Physics #Quantum #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum decoherence #Quantum dissipation #Quantum mechanics #Statistical physics #quant-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreva.80.064104

published in Physical Review A 80(6) (American Physical Society) · 5pp

arxiv created 2009/05/25 · openalex publication_date 2009/12/17 · arxiv updated 2015/05/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

Inconsistencies are pointed out in the usual quantum versions of the classical linear Boltzmann equation constructed for a quantized test particle in a gas. These are related to the incorrect formal treatment of momentum decoherence. We prove that ideal collisions with the molecules would result in complete momentum decoherence, the persistence of coherence is only due to the finite intercollision time. A corresponding quantum linear Boltzmann equation is proposed.

Citations

• Test particle in a quantum gas
• Master Equation for a Quantum Particle in a Gas
• Über die von der molekularkinetischen Theorie der Wärme geforderte Bewegung von in ruhenden Flüssigkeiten suspendierten Teilchen
• Completely positive dynamical semigroups of N-level systems
• Classical and quantum mechanics of the damped harmonic oscillator
• Monitoring derivation of the quantum linear Boltzmann equation