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A quantum action principle for open systems

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Abstract

Schwinger's quantum action principle is extended to the Liouville space and then to open systems with Markovian dynamics. This leads to a differential description of the Green function for Markovian master equations. For illustration, we apply the extended action principle to the driven, damped harmonic oscillator.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, D-85748, Garching, Germany

    Michael Thoss

  2. Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Strasse 1, D-85748, Garching, Germany

    Berthold-Georg Englert

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  1. Michael Thoss
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  2. Berthold-Georg Englert
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Thoss, M., Englert, BG. A quantum action principle for open systems. Letters in Mathematical Physics 37, 293–308 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343193

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343193

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