title: Fluctuation theorems for quantum master equations.
abstract: A quantum fluctuation theorem for a driven quantum subsystem interacting with its environment is derived based solely on the assumption that its reduced density matrix obeys a closed evolution equation--i.e., a quantum master equation (QME). Quantum trajectories and their associated entropy, heat, and work appear naturally by transforming the QME to a time-dependent Liouville space basis that diagonalizes the instantaneous reduced density matrix of the subsystem. A quantum integral fluctuation theorem, a steady-state fluctuation theorem, and the Jarzynski relation are derived in a similar way as for classical stochastic dynamics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.forename: Shaul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mukamel
mesh_terms: D019277:Entropy; D006358:Hot Temperature; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010825:Physics / Q000379:methods*; D011789:Quantum Theory; D013269:Stochastic Processes