Abstract
Inconsistencies are pointed out in the usual quantum versions of the classical linear Boltzmann equation constructed for a quantized test particle in a gas. These are related to the incorrect formal treatment of momentum decoherence. We prove that ideal collisions with the molecules would result in complete momentum decoherence, the persistence of coherence is only due to the finite intercollision time. A corresponding quantum linear Boltzmann equation is proposed.
- Received 1 June 2009
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.80.064104
©2009 American Physical Society