paper

Over forty years of research towards the understanding of Quantum Brownian Motion -- the contributions of A. O. Caldeira

arXiv:2604.26524 · doi:10.1007/s13538-026-02127-2

Abstract

This article presents a brief account of Amir O. Caldeira's contributions to the theory of quantum Brownian motion. Motivated by its importance, we outline the description of Brownian motion in the quantum regime following Caldeira's first works. In this context, we particularly highlight the effect of dissipation on the tunneling rate out of a metastable state. We then journey along the alternative ways to approach quantum Brownian motion developed by Caldeira during his career, which go beyond the so-called Caldeira-Leggett model. We conclude by summarizing some of Caldeira's contributions to contemporary fields such as the theory of quantum decoherence and quantum thermodynamics, that were strongly inspired by his eponymous approach to quantum Brownian motion.

Brief review submitted to the Special Issue "Frontiers in Quantum Mechanics and the 45 Years of the Caldeira-Leggett model" of the Brazilian Journal of Physics to celebrate the career of A. O. Caldeira

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