The Theory of Open Quantum Systems

The physics of open quantum systems plays a major role in modern experiments and theoretical developments of quantum mechanics. Written for graduate students and readers with research interests in open systems, this book provides an introduction into the main ideas and concepts, in additionto developing analytical methods and computer simulation techniques.

PrefaceAcknowledgementsPart 1: Probability in Classical and Quantum Physics1. Classical probability theory and stochastic processes2. Quantum ProbabilityPart 2: Density Matrix Theory3. Quantum Master Equations4. DecoherencePart 3: Stochastic Processes in Hilbert Space5. Probability distributions on Hilbert space6. Stochastic dynamics in Hilbert space7. The stochastic simulation method8. Applications to quantum optical systemsPart 4: Non-Markovian Quantum Processes9. Projection operator techniques10. Non-Markovian dynamics in physical systemsPart 5: Relativistic Quantum Processes11. Measurements in relativistic quantum mechanics12. Open quantum electrodynamics