Entropy production for quantum dynamical semigroups

Abstract

In analogy to the phenomenological theory of irreversible thermodynamics we define the entropy production for an arbitrary quantum dynamical semigroup with a stationary state. We prove that the entropy production is convex and positive and that the entropy production is a measure of dissipativity of the semigroup. The entropy production is used to prove the approach to equilibrium and to classify the stationary states of semigroups arising in the weak coupling limit.