A general theoretical framework for decoherence in open and closed systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework for decoherence applicable to both open and closed quantum systems, clarifying conditions and comparing relaxation and decoherence times, with detailed analysis of the spin-bath model.

Contribution

It presents a unified formalism for decoherence in open and closed systems, expanding existing approaches and providing new insights into decoherence conditions and dynamics.

Findings

Decoherence conditions are explicitly defined.

Relaxation and decoherence times are compared.

The spin-bath model is analyzed from the new framework.

Abstract

A general theoretical framework for decoherence is proposed, which encompasses formalisms originally devised to deal just with open or with closed systems. The conditions for decoherence are clearly stated and the relaxation and decoherence times are compared. Finally, the spin-bath model is developed in detail from the new perspective.