Entropy, the Wigner Distribution Function, and the Approach to Equilibrium of a System of Coupled Harmonic Oscillators Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • The entropy is determined of a quantum-mechanical system whose statistical state is characterized by a Wigner distribution function that is Gaussian in form. It is found to depend only on the variance of the distribution function. This enables us to study quantum mechanically the approach to equilibrium of coupled harmonic-oscillator chains, a system for which a classical treatment has been given recently by Robertson and Huerta. 1971 The American Physical Society.

published proceedings

  • Physical Review A

author list (cited authors)

  • Agarwal, G. S.

citation count

  • 74

complete list of authors

  • Agarwal, GS

publication date

  • February 1971