Quantum linear Boltzmann equation with finite intercollision time

Journal Article · Tue Dec 15 00:00:00 EST 2009 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVA.80.064104· OSTI ID:21352460

Diosi, Lajos ^[1]

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1. Research Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics, P.O. Box 49, H-1525 Budapest 114 (Hungary)

Inconsistencies are pointed out in the usual quantum versions of the classical linear Boltzmann equation constructed for a quantized test particle in a gas. These are related to the incorrect formal treatment of momentum decoherence. We prove that ideal collisions with the molecules would result in complete momentum decoherence, the persistence of coherence is only due to the finite intercollision time. A corresponding quantum linear Boltzmann equation is proposed.

• OSTI ID: 21352460
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 80, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.80.064104; (c) 2009 The American Physical Society; ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BOLTZMANN EQUATION
COLLISIONS
MOLECULES
QUANTUM MECHANICS
TEST PARTICLES
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
INTEGRO-DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
KINETIC EQUATIONS
MECHANICS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS