Quantum decoherence and classical correlations of the harmonic oscillator in the Lindblad theory

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a harmonic oscillator transitions from quantum to classical behavior within the Lindblad framework, analyzing decoherence, correlations, and the timescales involved in this process.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of quantum decoherence and classical correlations in a harmonic oscillator using Lindblad theory, including the calculation of decoherence time.

Findings

Classicality emerges during a finite time interval.

Decoherence time is comparable to the timescale of quantum fluctuations.

The transition from quantum to classical behavior is quantitatively characterized.

Abstract

In the framework of the Lindblad theory for open quantum systems we determine the degree of quantum decoherence and classical correlations of a harmonic oscillator interacting with a thermal bath. The transition from quantum to classical behaviour of the considered system is analyzed and it is shown that the classicality takes place during a finite interval of time. We calculate also the decoherence time and show that it has the same scale as the time after which statistical fluctuations become comparable with quantum fluctuations.