A generalized quantum microcanonical ensemble
Quantum Physics
2009-11-13 v2
Abstract
We discuss a generalized quantum microcanonical ensemble. It describes isolated systems that are not necessarily in an eigenstate of the Hamilton operator. Statistical averages are obtained by a combination of a time average and a maximum entropy argument to resolve the lack of knowledge about initial conditions. As a result, statistical averages of linear observables coincide with values obtained in the canonical ensemble. Non-canonical averages can be obtained by taking into account conserved quantities which are non-linear functions of the microstate.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.quant-ph/0602039,
title = {A generalized quantum microcanonical ensemble},
author = {Jan Naudts and Erik Van der Straeten},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/0602039},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
improved version, new title