Stabilization of quantum metastable states by dissipation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that, contrary to typical expectations, dissipation can stabilize quantum metastable states, increasing their escape times through a nonmonotonic dependence on system-bath coupling and temperature.

Contribution

It reveals a novel stabilizing effect of dissipation on quantum metastable states, showing nonmonotonic escape time behavior in a strongly asymmetric double well potential.

Findings

Escape time exhibits nonmonotonic dependence on system-bath coupling.

Dissipation can enhance the stability of quantum metastable states.

Thermal bath interactions lead to stabilization effects.

Abstract

Normally, quantum fluctuations enhance the escape from metastable states in the presence of dissipation. Here we show that dissipation can enhance the stability of a quantum metastable system, consisting of a particle moving in a strongly asymmetric double well potential, interacting with a thermal bath. We find that the escape time from the metastable state has a nonmonotonic behavior versus the system-bath coupling and the temperature, producing a stabilizing effect.