On the Redfield and Lindblad master equations

Abstract In a previous work we developed a field theoretical approach to open quantum systems (OQSs) using condensed matter methods. In the Born approximation we derived the Redfield equation on the basis of a multi-oscillator bath, a Dyson equation, a diagrammatic expansion and a quasi-particle approximation. In addition, applying a rotating wave approximation (RWA), we obtained the Lindblad equation describing a proper quantum map. The issue regarding the additional RWA was left as an open problem. The present work addresses the open problem and presents new results. We identify a discrepancy in the popular and standard Redfield equation. The discrepancy is associated with the well-known fact that the Redfield equation does not represent a proper quantum map. The discrepancy is related to the diagrammatic expansion and a consistency requirement in the quasi-particle approximation. The explicit resolution of this discrepancy is obtained by imposing energy conservation on the Born level. As a result we obtain formal equivalence between the energy-conserving Redfield equation and the Lindblad equation without invoking the RWA. We provide a detailed mapping of the field theoretical approach to the standard microscopic derivation in the theory of OQSs.