Energy Conservation and the Correlation Quasi-Temperature in Open Quantum Dynamics

Abstract

The master equation for an open quantum system is derived in the weak-coupling approximation when the additional dynamical variable—the mean interaction energy—is included into the generic relevant statistical operator. This master equation is nonlocal in time and involves the “quasi-temperature”, which is a non- equilibrium state parameter conjugated thermodynamically to the mean interaction energy of the composite system. The evolution equation for the quasi-temperature is derived using the energy conservation law. Thus long-living dynamical correlations, which are associated with this conservation law and play an important role in transition to the Markovian regime and subsequent equilibration of the system, are properly taken into account.