On the assumption of initial factorization in the master equation for weakly coupled systems. I: General framework (Q870350)

This is the first of a sequel of two papers concerning factorization in weakly coupled quantum mechanical statistical systems. Let the total system consist of a ``large'' reservoir \(B\) and ``small'' (sub)system \(S\) so that the total Hilbert space is the tensor product \({\mathcal H}_S \otimes {\mathcal H}_B\), where \(\dim{\mathcal H}_S < \infty \). Suppose that there is a state \(\Omega_B\) on \({\mathcal H}_B\) satisfying the mixing condition and that the initial state \(\rho_0\) is a bounded perturbation of \({\mathbf 1}_S \otimes \Omega_B \). This condition covers both equilibrium states and nonequilibrium steady states, and \(\rho_0\) need not be factorized. Applying the Nakajima-Zwanzig's projection method to the system, it is shown that in the weak-coupled (van Hove) limit, the dynamics of the projected density operator \(\rho_I\) is described in terms of master equation and \(\rho_I\) behaves as if \(\rho_0\) is factorized. The presentation of this article is laid on the main argument without emphasis on mathematical rigor. The fully mathematical version will be attempted in another publication.