title: Strong friction limit in quantum mechanics: the quantum Smoluchowski equation.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Fakultät für Physik, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ankerhold
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pechukas
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Grabert