Loss of quantum coherence in a system coupled to a zero-temperature environment
arXiv:quant-ph/0402176 · doi:10.1140/epjb/e2005-00284-2
Abstract
We discuss the influence of a zero-temperature environment on a coherent quantum system. First, we calculate the reduced density operator of the system in the framework of the well-known, exactly solvable model of an oscillator coupled to a bath of harmonic oscillators. Then, we propose the sketch of an Aharonov--Bohm-like interferometer showing, through interference measurements, the decrease of the coherence length of the system due to the interaction with the environment, even in the zero temperature limit.
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