The geometry and thermodynamics of dissipative quantum systems

Abstract

Dirac's method of classical analogy is employed to incorporate quantum degrees of freedom into modern nonequilibrium thermodynamics. The proposed formulation of dissipative quantum mechanics builds entirely upon the geometric structures implied by commutators and canonical correlations. A lucid formulation of a nonlinear quantum master equation follows from the thermodynamic structure. Complex classical environments with internal structure can be handled readily.