Quantum Kinetic Rates within the Nonequilibrium Steady State

Abstract: The nonequilibrium steady state (NESS) of a quantum network is central to a host of physical and biological scenarios. Examples include natural processes such as vision and photosynthesis, as well as technical devices such as photocells, both activated by incoherent light (e.g. sunlight) and leading to quantum transport. Here, a completely general approach to defining components of a quantum network in the NESS, and obtaining rates of processes between these components is provided. Quantum effects are explicitly included throughout, both in (a) defining network components via projection operators, and (b) in determining the role of coherences in rate processes. As examples, the methodology is applied to model cases, two versions of the V-level system, and to the spin-boson model, wherein the role of the environment and of internal system properties in determining the rates is examined. In addition, the role of Markovian vs. non-Markovian contributions is quantified, exposing conditions under which NESS rates can be obtained by perturbing the nonequilibrium steady state.