Open Quantum System Approach to the Modeling of Spin Recombination Reactions

Abstract

In theories of spin-dependent radical pair reactions, the time evolution of the radical pair, including the effect of the chemical kinetics, is described by a master equation in the Liouville formalism. For the description of the chemical kinetics, a number of possible reaction operators have been formulated in the literature. In this work, we present a framework that allows for a unified description of the various proposed mechanisms and the forms of reaction operators for the spin-selective recombination processes. Based on the concept that master equations can be derived from a microscopic description of the spin system interacting with external degrees of freedom, it is possible to gain insight into the underlying microscopic processes and to develop a systematic approach towards determining the specific form of reaction operator in concrete scenarios.

arXiv comment20 pages

References in corpus (6)

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• Quantum Zeno Effect Explains Magnetic-Sensitive Radical-Ion-Pair Reactions
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• Reactant-Product Quantum Coherence in Electron Transfer Reactions
• Multiple re-encounter approach to radical pair reactions and the role of nonlinear master equations
• Physiological search for quantum biological effects based on the Wigner-Yanase connection between coherence and uncertainty