Generalized two-level quantum dynamics. III. Irreversible conservative motion

Abstract

If the ordinary quantal Liouville equation ℒρ=$\dot \rho$ is generalized by discarding the customary stricture that ℒ be of the standard Hamiltonian commutator form, the new quantum dynamics that emerges has sufficient theoretical fertility to permit description even of a thermodynamically irreversible process in an isolated system, i.e., a motion ρ(t) in which entropy increases but energy is conserved. For a two-level quantum system, the complete family of time-independent linear superoperators ℒ that generate such motions is derived; and a physically interesting example is presented in detail.