Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1855164 | Annals of Physics | 2011 | 14 Pages |
We obtain a non-Markovian quantum master equation directly from the quantization of a non-Markovian Fokker–Planck equation describing the Brownian motion of a particle immersed in a generic environment (e.g. a non-thermal fluid). As far as the especial case of a heat bath comprising of quantum harmonic oscillators is concerned, we derive a non-Markovian Caldeira–Leggett master equation on the basis of which we work out the concept of non-equilibrium quantum thermal force exerted by the harmonic heat bath upon the Brownian motion of a free particle. The classical limit (or dequantization process) of this sort of non-equilibrium quantum effect is scrutinized, as well.
► Classical Brownian motion described by a non-Markovian Fokker—Planck equation. ► Quantization process. ► Quantum Brownian motion described by a non-Markovian Caldeira—Leggett equation. ► A non-equilibrium quantum thermal force is predicted.