Dissipaton equation of motion for system-and-bath interference dynamics

Abstract

In this review we give a comprehensive account on the dissipaton equation of motion (DEOM) approach to quantum mechanics of open systems. This approach provides a statistical quasi-particle (dissipaton) picture for the environment, as it participates in the correlated system-and-bath dynamics. The underlying dissipaton algebra is de facto established via a close comparison with the celebrated hierarchical equations of motion formalism that is rooted at the Feynman-Vernon influence functional path integral formalism. As a quasi-particle generalization, DEOM identifies unambiguously the physical meanings of all involving dynamical variables as many-dissipaton configurations. It addresses the dynamics of not only systems but also hybridizing bath degrees of freedom. We demonstrate these features of DEOM via its real-time evaluation of the Fano interference of an analytically solvable model system, with the highlight that the statistical quasi-particle picture is ubiquitous, implied even in those commonly used quantum master equations.