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arXiv · hep-ph/0006160

Thermalization of Quantum Fields from Time-Reversal Invariant Evolution Equations

J. Berges·J. Cox
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Abstract

We study the time evolution of correlation functions in closed quantum systems for nonequilibrium ensembles of initial conditions. For a scalar quantum field theory we show that generic time-reversal invariant evolutions approach equilibrium at large times. The calculation provides a first principles justification of Boltzmann's conjecture that the large-time behavior of isolated macroscopic systems can be described by thermal ensemble averages.

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J. Berges, J. Cox. 2000-06-14. Thermalization of Quantum Fields from Time-Reversal Invariant Evolution Equations. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0370-2693(01)01004-8

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