Evolution of expected values in open quantum systems

Abstract

We derive a generalization of Ehrenfest theorem valid for open quantum systems. From this result, we identify three contributions to the evolution of expected values: i) the explicit time dependence of the observable, ii) the incompatibility between the observable and an operator which plays the role of an effective Hamiltonian, and iii) entropy changes. Considering the local Hamiltonian as the observable, and adopting a specific interpretation of the nature of thermal interactions, we obtain an alternative version of the first law of thermodynamics. Within this framework, we show that in some cases the power performed by the system can be considered as a quantum observable. As an application, the pure dephasing process is reinterpreted from this perspective.