Wed May 20th 2009
11:00
Hogekamp B-1232
Seminar Foundation of Statistical Mechanics under experimentally realistic conditions
Peter Reimann

Details:

We demonstrate the equilibration of isolated macroscopic quantum systems, prepared in non-equilibrium mixed states with significant population of many energy levels, and observed by instruments with a reasonably bound working range compared to the resolution limit. Both properties are fulfilled under many, if not all, experimentally realistic conditions. At equilibrium, the predictions and limitations of Statistical Mechanics are recovered. Finally, the imitation of statistical ensembles in and out of equilibrium by pure (zero entropy) states is discussed.
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