Nonequilibrium density matrix in quantum open systems: Generalization for simultaneous heat and charge steady-state transport

H. Ness
Phys. Rev. E 90, 062119 – Published 12 December 2014

Abstract

We suggest a generalization of the expression of the nonequilibrium (NE) density matrix obtained by Hershfield's method for the cases where both heat and charge steady-state currents are present in a quantum open system. The finite-size quantum system, connected to two temperature and particle reservoirs, is driven out of equilibrium by the presence of both a temperature gradient and a chemical potential gradient between the two reservoirs. We show that the NE density matrix is given by a generalized Gibbs-like ensemble and is in full agreement with the general results of the McLennan-Zubarev nonequilibrium ensembles. The extra nonequilibrium terms are related to the entropy production in the system and characterize the fluxes of heat and particle. An explicit example, for the lowest-order expansion, is provide for a model system of noninteracting fermions.

  • Received 17 June 2014
  • Revised 25 November 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.90.062119

©2014 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. Ness*

  • Department of Physics, Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS, United Kingdom

  • *European Theoretical Spectroscopy Facility (ETSF), www.etsf.eu; herve.ness@kcl.ac.uk

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Issue

Vol. 90, Iss. 6 — December 2014

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