The approach to the calculation of quantum dynamical correlation functions is presented in the framework of the Mori theory. An unified treatment of classic and quantum dynamics is given in terms of Weyl representation of operators and holomorphic variables. The range of validity of an approximate molucular dynamics is discussed
We consider quantum nonlinear systems with dissipation described within the Caldeira-Leggett model, i.e., by a nonlocal action in the path integral for the density matrix. Approximate classical-like formulas are derived in order to evaluate thermal averages of observables: the cases of linear and nonlinear dissipation are considered, and the framework is extended to the case of many degrees of freedom.
Out-of-time-ordered correlators (OTOC) have been proposed to characterize quantum chaos in generic systems. However, they can also show interesting behavior in integrable models, resembling the OTOC in chaotic systems in some aspects. Here we study the OTOC for different operators in the exactly-solvable one-dimensional quantum Ising spin chain. The OTOC for spin operators that are local in terms of the Jordan-Wigner fermions has a shell-like structure: after the wavefront passes, the OTOC approaches its original value in the long-time limit, showing no signature of scrambling; the approach is described by a $t^{-1}$ power law at long time $t$. On the other hand, the OTOC for spin operators that are nonlocal in the Jordan-Wigner fermions has a ball-like structure, with its value reaching zero in the long-time limit, looking like a signature of scrambling; the approach to zero, however, is described by a slow power law $t^{-1/4}$ for the Ising model at the critical coupling. These long-time power-law behaviors in the lattice model are not captured by conformal field theory calculations. The mixed OTOC with both local and nonlocal operators in the Jordan-Wigner fermions also has a ball-like structure, but the limiting values and the decay behavior appear to be nonuniversal. In all cases, we are not able to define a parametrically large window around the wavefront to extract the Lyapunov exponent.
Semi-classical methods of statistical mechanics can incorporate essential quantum effects by using effective quantum potentials. An ideal Fermi gas interacting with an impurity is represented by a classical fluid with effective electron-electron and electron-impurity quantum potentials. The electron-impurity quantum potential is evaluated at weak coupling, leading to a generalization of the Kelbg potential to include both diffraction and degeneracy effects. The electron-electron quantum potential for exchange effects only is the same as that discussed earlier by others.
An appropriate extension of the effective potential theory is presented that permits the approximate calculation of the dynamical correlation functions for quantum systems. These are obtained by evaluating the generating functionals of the Mori products of quantities related to the relaxation functions in the (PQSCHA) pure self consistent harmonic approximation.
We present Tethered Monte Carlo, a simple, general purpose method of computing the effective potential of the order parameter (Helmholtz free energy). This formalism is based on a new statistical ensemble, closely related to the micromagnetic one, but with an extended configuration space (through Creutz-like demons). Canonical averages for arbitrary values of the external magnetic field are computed without additional simulations. The method is put to work in the two dimensional Ising model, where the existence of exact results enables us to perform high precision checks. A rather peculiar feature of our implementation, which employs a local Metropolis algorithm, is the total absence, within errors, of critical slowing down for magnetic observables. Indeed, high accuracy results are presented for lattices as large as L=1024.