Abstract
We study the process by which quantum correlations are created when an interaction Hamiltonian is repeatedly applied to a system of two harmonic oscillators for some characteristic time interval. We show that, for the case where the oscillator frequencies are equal, the initial Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions of the uncoupled parts evolve to a new Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution through a series of transient Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions, or quasistationary, nonequilibrium states. Further, we discuss why the equilibrium reached when the two oscillator frequencies are unequal is not a thermal one. All the calculations are exact and the results are obtained through an iterative process, without using perturbation theory.
- Received 29 May 2007
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.77.032121
©2008 American Physical Society