Mathematical theory of non-equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics

Abstract

We review and further develop a mathematical framework for non-equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics recently proposed in refs. 1-7. In the algebraic formalism of quantum statistical mechanics we introduce notions of non-equilibrium steady states, entropy production and heat fluxes, and study their properties. Our basic paradigm is a model of a small (finite) quantum system coupled to several independent thermal reservoirs. We exhibit examples of such systems which have strictly positive entropy production.