Approach to Quantum Kramers' Equation and Barrier Crossing Dynamics

Abstract

We have presented a simple approach to quantum theory of Brownian motion and barrier crossing dynamics. Based on an initial coherent state representation of bath oscillators and an equilibrium canonical distribution of quantum mechanical mean values of their co-ordinates and momenta we have derived a $c$-number generalized quantum Langevin equation. The approach allows us to implement the method of classical non-Markovian Brownian motion to realize an exact generalized non-Markovian quantum Kramers' equation. The equation is valid for arbitrary temperature and friction. We have solved this equation in the spatial diffusion-limited regime to derive quantum Kramers' rate of barrier crossing and analyze its variation as a function of temperature and friction. While almost all the earlier theories rest on quasi-probability distribution functions (like Wigner function) and path integral methods, the present work is based on {\it true probability distribution functions} and is independent of path integral techniques. The theory is a natural extension of the classical theory to quantum domain and provides a unified description of thermal activated processes and tunneling.

RevTex, 18 pages, 2 figures; Minor corrections; To appear in Phys. Rev. E

References in corpus (2)

• Strong friction limit in quantum mechanics: the Quantum Smoluchowski equation
• Analytical and numerical investigation of escape rate for a noise driven bath

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