This article is cited in 58 papers

REVIEWS OF TOPICAL PROBLEMS

On the nonequilibrium diagram technique: derivation, some features, and applications

P. I. Arseev

Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow

Abstract: We review the succession of ideas underlying the emergence of the nonequilibrium diagram technique (Keldysh diagram technique). Simple examples are used to illustrate the implementation of the technique and to demonstrate possible difficulties and the ways to overcome them. Together with well-known facts, some lesser-discussed details are considered, in particular, whether the so-called three-component technique is necessary. Several applications of the nonequilibrium diagram technique are discussed including, notably, tunneling systems and linear response problems. We hope that some parts of the review can be useful even for the reader familiar with the nonequilibrium diagram technique.

Keywords: diagram technique, nonequilibrium diagram technique, Keldysh diagram technique, nonequilibrium processes, quantum kinetics.

PACS: 03.70.+k , 05.60.Gg, 11.10.Wx , 72.10.Bg

Received: August 4, 2015
Revised: October 11, 2015
Accepted: October 12, 2015

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0185.201512b.1271

 English version: Physics–Uspekhi, 2015, 58:12, 1159–1205

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