Non-separable wave evolution equations in quantum kinetics

Abstract

A non-separable wave-like integro-differential equation for the time evolution of the Wigner distribution function in phase space is educed from the corresponding separable kinetic equation. It is shown that it leads to non-local dispersion effects that may involve complex group velocities and also display non-unitary features as entropy production. By employing the quantum hydrodynamical description a non-local evolution wave equation is also derived by synthesizing the Hamilton-Jacobi equation with that of continuity, which predicts the generation of quadrupole quantum effects in the propagation of the spatial probability density. Extension of the formalism for a boson scalar field is also presented along with a brief commentary on the issue of irreversibility.