On the assumption of initial factorization in the master equation for weakly coupled systems I: General framework

We analyze the dynamics of a quantum mechanical system in interaction with a reservoir when the initial state is not factorized. In the weak-coupling (van Hove) limit, the dynamics can be properly described in terms of a master equation, but a consistent application of Nakajima–Zwanzig’s projection method requires that the reference (not necessarily equilibrium) state of the reservoir be endowed with the mixing property.