Dynamics of complex quantum systems: dissipation and kinetic equations

Abstract

We present a microscopic approach to quantum dissipation and sketch the derivation of the kinetic equation describing the evolution of a simple quantum system in interaction with a complex quantum system. A typical quantum complex system is modeled by means of parametric banded random matrices coupled to the subsystem of interest. We do not assume the weak coupling limit and allow for an independent dynamics of the “reservoir”. We discuss the reasons for having a new theoretical approach and the new elements introduced by us. The present approach incorporates known limits and previous results, but at the same time includes new cases, previously never derived on a microscopic level. We briefly discuss the kinetic equation and its solution for a particle in the absence of an external field.