How to derive the quantum detailed balance condition?

In summary, the conversation discusses the detailed balance condition for non-Hamiltonian systems, specifically for Markov open quantum systems. The detailed balance condition is defined as the generator ##L## being a normal operator in the Hilbert space ##\mathcal{B}_{\rho_0}(\mathcal{H})##. This is derived from the classical detailed balance condition ##p_{ij}\pi_j = p_{ji}\pi_i##, and the author also presents a quantum analogy for detailed balance. However, there is a question on how to derive definition 2 from the classical version of detailed balance.
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lsdragon
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TL;DR Summary
I want some help to get the definition of quantum detailed balance condition from analogy of classical detailed balance condition
In the "On The detailed balance conditions for non-Hamiltonian systems", I learned that for a Markov open quantum system to satisfying the master equation with the Liouvillian superoperators, the detailed balance condition will be

> Definition 2: The open quantum Markovian system (##dim(\mathcal{H}) < \infty##) obeys the detailed balance principle if the generator ##L## in Heisenberg picture is a normal operator in Hilbert space ##\mathcal{B}_{\rho_0}(\mathcal{H})## (see Definition 1).

>Definition 1: ##\mathcal{B}_{\rho_0}(\mathcal{H})## denotes the Hilbert space of all linear operators on the finite-dimensional Hilbert space ##\mathcal{H}## with the scalar product defined by the formula
$$\langle A, B\rangle = Tr(A^\dagger B \rho_0), A,B \in \mathcal{B}_{\rho_0}(\mathcal{H})$$
where ##\rho_0## is a fixed state (density matrix) and ## \rho_0 > 0##.

The ##L## is the adjoint operator, defined with respect to definition 1, of the Liouvillian superoperator ##\mathcal{L}##, such that
$$
\frac{d \rho}{d t} = \mathcal{L} \rho \\
\frac{d A}{d t} = L A, A\in \mathcal{B}_{\rho_0}(\mathcal{H}).
$$

The author started from the classical detailed balance condition ##p_{ij}\pi_j = p_{ji}\pi_i## and finally get to definition 2.

For me, I will write the quantum analogy of detailed balance as
$$
\langle A,L(B) \rangle = \langle B, L(A)\rangle .
$$
I can not get the normality of ##L## from the above definition.
Then, my question is that how can we get to definition 2 starting from the classical version of detailed balance?
 
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FAQ: How to derive the quantum detailed balance condition?

What is the quantum detailed balance condition?

The quantum detailed balance condition is a principle that ensures the equilibrium state of a quantum system remains unchanged under time-reversal symmetry. It is a condition that relates the transition rates of quantum states such that the forward and reverse processes balance each other out, maintaining the system's equilibrium.

Why is the quantum detailed balance condition important?

The quantum detailed balance condition is important because it guarantees that a quantum system in thermal equilibrium will remain in equilibrium over time. It is fundamental in the study of quantum statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, ensuring that the probabilities of transitions between states are consistent with the laws of thermodynamics.

What are the key steps to derive the quantum detailed balance condition?

The key steps to derive the quantum detailed balance condition include:1. Identifying the transition rates between quantum states.2. Applying the principle of microreversibility, which states that the transition rate from state i to state j is equal to the transition rate from state j to state i when the system is in equilibrium.3. Incorporating the Boltzmann distribution to relate the probabilities of being in different states.4. Using these concepts to formulate a condition that equates the product of the transition rate and the equilibrium probability for forward and reverse transitions.

How does the quantum detailed balance condition relate to the Boltzmann distribution?

The quantum detailed balance condition is closely related to the Boltzmann distribution, which describes the probability of a system being in a particular state at thermal equilibrium. The condition uses the Boltzmann factors to equate the product of the transition rate and the equilibrium probability for forward and reverse processes, ensuring that the overall distribution remains unchanged.

Can the quantum detailed balance condition be violated, and what are the implications?

In principle, the quantum detailed balance condition can be violated in non-equilibrium systems or in the presence of external driving forces that break time-reversal symmetry. When the condition is violated, it indicates that the system is not in thermal equilibrium, leading to phenomena such as non-equilibrium steady states, energy dissipation, and entropy production. Understanding these violations is crucial for studying non-equilibrium thermodynamics and quantum transport processes.

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