Reinvigorated by advances and insights the quantum theory of irreversible processes has recently attracted growing attention. This volume introduces the very basic concepts of semigroup dynamics of open quantum systems and reviews a variety of modern applications. Originally published as Volume 286 (1987) in Lecture in Physics, this volume has been newly typeset, revised and corrected and also expanded to include a review on recent developments.

This book contains articles on maximal regulatory problems, interpolation spaces, multiplicative perturbations of generators, linear and nonlinear evolution equations, integrodifferential equations, dual semigroups, positive semigroups, applications to control theory, and boundary value problems.

Provides a graduate-level introduction to the theory of semigroups of operators.

In this text the authors develop quantum dynamics of open systems for a wide class of irreversible processes starting from the concept of completely positive semigroups. This unified approach makes the material easily accessible to non-specialists and provides an easy access to practical applications. Written for graduate students, the book presents a wealth of useful examples; in particular, models of unstable and N-level systems are treated systematically and in considerable detail including new types of generated Bloch-equations. The general theory is extensively summarized from abstract dynamical maps to those obtained by a reduction of Hamiltonian dynamics under a Markovian approximation. Various methods of determining semigroup generators and the corresponding master equations are discussed including time-dependent and nonlinear generators. Further topics treated are a generalized H-theorem, quantum detailed balance and return to equilibrium, discrete quantum Boltzmann equation, nonlinear Schrödinger equation, spin relaxation by spin waves, entropy production and its generalization by a measure of irreversibiblity.

Advanced graduate-level treatment of semigroup theory explores semigroups of linear operators and linear Cauchy problems. The text features challenging exercises and emphasizes motivation, heuristics, and further applications. 1985 edition.

Understanding dissipative dynamics of open quantum systems remains a challenge in mathematical physics. This problem is relevant in various areas of fundamental and applied physics. From a mathematical point of view, it involves a large body of knowledge. Significant progress in the understanding of such systems has been made during the last decade. These books present in a self-contained way the mathematical theories involved in the modeling of such phenomena. They describe physically relevant models, develop their mathematical analysis and derive their physical implications. In Volume I the Hamiltonian description of quantum open systems is discussed. This includes an introduction to quantum statistical mechanics and its operator algebraic formulation, modular theory, spectral analysis and their applications to quantum dynamical systems. Volume II is dedicated to the Markovian formalism of classical and quantum open systems. A complete exposition of noise theory, Markov processes and stochastic differential equations, both in the classical and the quantum context, is provided. These mathematical tools are put into perspective with physical motivations and applications. Volume III is devoted to recent developments and applications. The topics discussed include the non-equilibrium properties of open quantum systems, the Fermi Golden Rule and weak coupling limit, quantum irreversibility and decoherence, qualitative behaviour of quantum Markov semigroups and continual quantum measurements.

This book provides a systematic, self-contained treatment of the theory of quantum probability and quantum Markov processes for graduate students and researchers. Building a framework that parallels the development of classical probability, it aims to help readers up the steep learning curve of the quantum theory.

This means that semigroup theory may be applied directly to the study of the equation I'!.f = h on M. In [45] Yau proves that, for h ~ 0, there are no nonconstant, nonnegative solutions f in [j' for 1

The book collects a series of papers centered on two main streams: Feynman path integral approach to Quantum Mechanics and statistical mechanics of quantum open systems. Key authors discuss the state-of-the-art within their fields of expertise. In addition, the volume includes a number of contributed papers with new results, which have been thoroughly refereed.The contributions in this volume highlight emergent research in the area of stochastic analysis and mathematical physics, focusing, in particular on Feynman functional integral approach and, on the other hand, in quantum probability. The book is addressed to an audience of mathematical physicists, as well as specialists in probability theory, stochastic analysis and operator algebras.The proceedings have been selected for coverage in:• Index to Scientific & Technical Proceedings (ISTP CDROM version / ISI Proceedings)• CC Proceedings — Engineering & Physical Sciences

Advanced Topics in Theoretical Chemical Physics is a collection of 20 selected papers from the scientific presentations of the Fourth Congress of the International Society for Theoretical Chemical Physics (ISTCP) held at Marly-le-Roi, France, in July 2002. Advanced Topics in Theoretical Chemical Physics encompasses a broad spectrum in which scientists place special emphasis on theoretical methods in chemistry and physics. The chapters in the book are divided into five sections: I: Advances Chemical Thermodynamics II: Electronic Structure of Molecular Systems III: Molecular Interaction and Dynamics IV: Condensed Matter V: Playing with Numbers This book is an invaluable resource for all academics and researchers interested in theoretical, quantum or statistical, chemical physics or physical chemistry. It presents a selection of some of the most advanced methods, results and insights in this exciting area.