Strong friction limit in quantum mechanics: the quantum Smoluchowski equation.
For a quantum system coupled to a heat bath environment the strong friction limit is studied starting from the exact path integral formulation. Generalizing the classical Smoluchowski limit to low temperatures, a time evolution equation for the position distribution is derived and the strong role of quantum fluctuations in this limit is revealed.
Ankerhold
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J
Fakultät für Physik, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
Pechukas
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Grabert
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