Quantum Boltzmann equation for spin-dependent reactions in the kinetic regime. (10th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fürst, Martin L R; Kotulla, Markus; Mendl, Christian B; Spohn, Herbert
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 48:Number 9(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-02-10
• Subjects: quantum Boltzmann equation -- weak interaction -- kinetic regime -- spin-dependent quantum processes; Mathematical physics -- Periodicals; Statistical physics -- Periodicals; Quantum theory -- Periodicals; Matter -- Properties -- Periodicals; 530.105
• DOI: 10.1088/1751-8113/48/9/095204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-8113

Abstract

Abstract: We derive and analyze an effective quantum Boltzmann equation in the kinetic regime for the interactions of four distinguishable types of fermionic spin- particles, starting from a general quantum field Hamiltonian. Each particle type is described by a time-dependent, 2 × 2 spin-density ('Wigner') matrix. We show that density and energy conservation laws as well as the H-theorem hold, and enumerate additional conservation laws depending on the interaction. The conserved quantities characterize the thermal (Fermi–Dirac) equilibrium state. We illustrate the approach to equilibrium by numerical simulations in the isotropic three-dimensional setting.