Quantum decoherence and classical correlations in open systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a harmonic oscillator interacting with a thermal bath transitions from quantum to classical behavior, analyzing decoherence, correlations, and the timescales involved using Lindblad theory.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of quantum decoherence and classical correlations in open systems, identifying the timescale for the quantum-to-classical transition.

Findings

Decoherence time matches the timescale where thermal and quantum fluctuations are comparable.

Classical behavior emerges during a finite time interval.

The transition from quantum to classical occurs within a specific temporal window.

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 thermal fluctuations become comparable with quantum fluctuations.