An inverse problem in quantum statistical physics

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Abstract: We address the following inverse problem in quantum statistical physics: does the quantum free energy (von Neumann entropy + kinetic energy) admit a unique minimizer among the density operators having a given local density n(x)? We give a positive answer to that question, in dimension one. This enables to define rigourously the notion of local quantum equilibrium, or quantum Maxwellian, which is at the basis of recently derived quantum hydrodynamic models and quantum drift-diffusion models. We also characterize this unique minimizer, which takes the form of a global thermodynamic equilibrium (canonical ensemble) with a quantum chemical potential.


The authors address the problem to establish existence and uniqueness of a statistical operator minimizing the quantum free energy given by the sum of von Neumann entropy and kinetic energy, with the constraint of a given local density \(n(x)\). They provide a rigorous positive answer to the question in dimension one, in a finite box with periodic boundary conditions. The thus obtained statistical operator indeed has a Gibbs form with a suitable chemical potential. The motivation for this work is to obtain a rigorous definition of the notion of local quantum equilibrium state, which is at the basis of recently derived quantum hydrodynamic models.



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