Foundation of statistical mechanics under experimentally realistic conditions.
We demonstrate the equilibration of isolated macroscopic quantum systems, prepared in nonequilibrium mixed states with a significant population of many energy levels, and observed by instruments with a reasonably bound working range compared to the resolution limit. Both properties are satisfied under many, if not all, experimentally realistic conditions. At equilibrium, the predictions and limitations of statistical mechanics are recovered.
Reimann
Peter
P
Fakultät für Physik, Universität Bielefeld, 33615 Bielefeld, Germany.