Comments on the adiabatic theorem

Abstract

We consider the simplest example of a nonstationary quantum system which is quantum mechanical oscillator with varying frequency and [Formula: see text] self-interaction. We calculate loop corrections to the Keldysh, retarded/advanced propagators and vertices using Schwinger–Keldysh diagrammatic technique and show that there is no physical secular growth of the loop corrections in the cases of constant and adiabatically varying frequency. This fact corresponds to the well-known adiabatic theorem in quantum mechanics. However, in the case of nonadiabatically varying frequency we obtain strong IR corrections to the Keldysh propagator which come from the “sunset” diagrams, grow with time indefinitely and indicate energy pumping into the system. It reveals itself via the change in time of the level population and of the anomalous quantum average.