Renormalized coordinate approach to the thermalization process

• Published in: arXiv.org
• Main Authors: Flores-Hidalgo, G, Malbouisson, A P C, Malbouisson, J M C, Milla, Y W, Santana, A E
• Format: Paper Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 17.03.2009
• Subjects: Harmonic oscillators; Markov processes; Mathematics - Mathematical Physics; Occupation; Physics - High Energy Physics - Theory; Physics - Mathematical Physics; Physics - Quantum Physics; Physics - Statistical Mechanics; Thermalization (energy absorption)
• ISSN: 2331-8422
• DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.0903.3045

We consider a particle in the harmonic approximation coupled linearly to an environment. modeled by an infinite set of harmonic oscillators. The system (particle--environment) is considered in a cavity at thermal equilibrium. We employ the recently introduced notion of renormalized coordinates to investigate the time evolution of the particle occupation number. For comparison we first present this study in bare coordinates. For a long ellapsed time, in both approaches, the occupation number of the particle becomes independent of its initial value. The value of ocupation number of the particle is the physically expected one at the given temperature. So we have a Markovian process, describing the particle thermalization with the environment. With renormalized coordinates no renormalization procedure is required, leading directly to a finite result.