English

Perturbations and quantum relaxation

Quantum Physics 2020-01-15 v3 Cosmology and Nongalactic Astrophysics High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

We investigate whether small perturbations can cause relaxation to quantum equilibrium over very long timescales. We consider in particular a two-dimensional harmonic oscillator, which can serve as a model of a field mode on expanding space. We assume an initial wave function with small perturbations to the ground state. We present evidence that the trajectories are highly confined so as to preclude relaxation to equilibrium even over very long timescales. Cosmological implications are briefly discussed.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1609.04485,
  title  = {Perturbations and quantum relaxation},
  author = {Adithya Kandhadai and Antony Valentini},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1609.04485},
  year   = {2020}
}

Comments

28 pages, 15 figures, minor amendments in v3

R2 v1 2026-06-22T15:50:15.422Z