From nonequilibrium Green's functions to quantum master equations for the density matrix and out-of-time-order correlators: Steady-state and adiabatic dynamics

We consider a finite quantum system under slow driving and weakly coupled to thermal reservoirs at different temperatures. We present a systematic derivation of the quantum master equation for the density matrix and the out-of-time-order correlators. We start from the microscopic Hamiltonian and we formulate the equations ruling the dynamics of these quantities by recourse to the Schwinger-Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function formalism, performing a perturbative expansion in the coupling between the system and the reservoirs. We focus on the adiabatic dynamics, which corresponds to considering the linear response in the ratio between the relaxation time due to the system-reservoir coupling and the time scale associated to the driving. We calculate the particle and energy fluxes. We illustrate the formalism in the case of a qutrit coupled to bosonic reservoirs and of a pair of interacting quantum dots attached to fermionic reservoirs, also discussing the relevance of coherent effects.

Automated summary

The study focuses on a finite quantum system under slow driving and weakly coupled to thermal reservoirs at different temperatures, deriving quantum master equations and out-of-time-order correlators. It formulates the dynamics of these quantities using perturbative expansion and Schwinger-Keldysh nonequilibrium Green's function formalism, particularly emphasizing the adiabatic dynamics and the calculation of particle and energy fluxes. The formalism is exemplified with a qutrit coupled to bosonic reservoirs and a pair of interacting quantum dots attached to fermionic reservoirs, highlighting the relevance of coherent effects.