Transport equations for driven many-body systems

Abstract

Transport equations for autonomous driven fermionic quantum systems are derived with the help of statistical assumptions, and of the Markov approximation. The statistical assumptions hold if the system consists of subsystems within which equilibration is sufficiently fast. The Markov approximation holds if the level density in each subsystem is sufficiently smooth in energy. The transport equation describes both, relaxation of occupation probability among subsytems at equal energy that leads to thermalization, and the transport of the system to higher energy caused by the driving force. The laser-nucleus interaction serves as an example for the applicability and flexibility of the approach.