Exact Stochastic Mean-Field dynamics

TL;DR

This paper discusses an exact stochastic mean-field approach to describe the evolution of a quantum system coupled to an environment, with potential applications in many-body physics and correlations beyond mean-field approximations.

Contribution

It illustrates an exact reformulation of open quantum system dynamics using stochastic mean-field methods, extending previous formalism to complex many-body systems.

Findings

Applied to Caldeira-Leggett model with harmonic oscillators

Potential to incorporate two-body correlations beyond mean-field

Links open quantum systems with closed many-body problems

Abstract

The exact evolution of a system coupled to a complex environment can be described by a stochastic mean-field evolution of the reduced system density. The formalism developed in Ref. [D.Lacroix, Phys. Rev. E77, 041126 (2008)] is illustrated in the Caldeira-Leggett model where a harmonic oscillator is coupled to a bath of harmonic oscillators. Similar exact reformulation could be used to extend mean-field transport theories in Many-body systems and incorporate two-body correlations beyond the mean-field one. The connection between open quantum system and closed many-body problem is discussed.