Abstract
A time-dependent current-density-functional theory for many-particle systems in interaction with arbitrary external baths is developed. We prove that, given the initial quantum state and the particle-bath interaction operator, two external vector potentials and that produce the same ensemble-averaged current density, , must necessarily coincide up to a gauge transformation. This result greatly expands the applicability of time-dependent density-functional theory to open quantum systems, and allows for first-principles calculations of many-particle time evolution beyond Hamiltonian dynamics.
- Received 12 February 2007
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.226403
©2007 American Physical Society