Quantum Boltzmann equation for fermions: An attempt to calculate the NMR relaxation and decoherence times using quantum field theory techniques

Abstract

Extracting macroscopic properties of a system from microscopic interactions has always been an interesting topic with the most diverse applications. Here, we use the quantum Boltzmann equation to investigate the density matrix evolution of a system of nucleons. Using the quantum field theory tools for constructing the density matrix operators and calculating the interactions is the main advantage of this equation. The right-hand side of this equation involves forward scattering and usual collision terms. As examples of application, we calculate the standard Bloch equations for the nucleon system in the presence of a constant and an oscillating magnetic field from the forward scattering term. We find the longitudinal and transverse (decoherence) relaxation times from the collision term by considering the nucleon-nucleon scattering.