title: Transitional steady states of exchange dynamics between finite quantum systems.
abstract: We examine energy and particle exchange between finite-sized quantum systems and find a new form of nonequilibrium state. The exchange rate undergoes stepwise evolution in time, and its magnitude and sign dramatically change according to system size differences. The origin lies in interference effects contributed by multiply scattered waves at system boundaries. Although such characteristics are utterly different from those of true steady state for infinite systems, Onsager's reciprocal relation remains universally valid.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Deajeon 34141, Korea.
authors.forename: Euijin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea.
authors.forename: Juyeon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Nanoscience and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Deajeon 34141, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Woon
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Kim