Brownian motion at absolute zero
Statistical Mechanics
2009-11-11 v1 Soft Condensed Matter
Quantum Physics
Abstract
We derive a general quantum formula giving the mean-square displacement of a diffusing particle as a function of time. Near {\bf 0 K} we find a universal logarithmic behavior (valid for times longer than the relaxation time), and deviations from classical behavior can also be significant at larger values of time and temperature. Our derivation depends neither on the specific composition of the heat bath nor on the strength of the coupling between the bath and the particle. An experimental regime of microseconds and microdegrees Kelvin would elicit the pure logarithmic diffusion.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0506196,
title = {Brownian motion at absolute zero},
author = {Supurna Sinha and Rafael D. Sorkin},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0506196},
year = {2009}
}
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Published