Quantum master equation for collisional dynamics of massive particles with internal degrees of freedom

TL;DR

This paper derives a quantum master equation in Lindblad form for a massive particle with internal states interacting with a gas, capturing both classical and quantum effects, including non-Markovian dynamics and decoherence.

Contribution

It provides a microscopic derivation of a generalized Lindblad master equation for particles with internal degrees of freedom, extending previous models to include non-Markovian effects.

Findings

Derivation of a Lindblad-form master equation for internal and center-of-mass dynamics.

Recasting the equation to include non-Markovian effects in interferometric setups.

Analysis of internal degrees' impact on decoherence of the center of mass.

Abstract

We address the microscopic derivation of a quantum master equation in Lindblad form for the dynamics of a massive test particle with internal degrees of freedom interacting through collisions with a background ideal gas. When either internal or centre of mass degrees of freedom can be treated classically, previously established equations are obtained as special cases. If in an interferometric setup the internal degrees of freedom are not detected at the output, the equation can be recast in the form of a generalized Lindblad structure, which describes non-Markovian effects. The effect of internal degrees of freedom on centre of mass decoherence is considered in this framework.