Abstract
We analyze the irreversible behavior of a quantum harmonic oscillator immersed in an arbitrary thermal reservoir. For the fully coupled (FC) model, i.e., the coupling between subsystems linear in the coordinate of the oscillator, we construct a generalized master equation for the reduced density operator of the oscillator. We apply the rotating-wave approximation (RWA) and investigate its connection with the FC master equation. By means of the Wigner distribution, we obtain the corresponding Fokker-Planck equations in the semiclassical representation. We find that, when the RWA is not imposed, the correct classical limit is obtained (Kramer's equation). Then, we establish the conditions for the equivalence between the FC Fokker-Planck equation and that obtained in the RWA. Quantum maps for a kicked oscillator immersed in a heat bath are obtained in both cases. These maps are studied in the classical and semiclassical limits, and it is shown that they coincide for low kicking frequency compared to the damping rate.
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