Quantum decay rates in dense media

Abstract

A quantum theory of decay processes in condensed phases is presented. It is based on a general dynamic rate theory applied to a model in which a particle is bilinearly coupled to a system of harmonic oscillators. Both adiabatic and nonadiabatic processes are considered. The many-dimensional problem is reduced to a one-dimensional case making use of a separable (normal mode) coordinate correlated to the particle coordinate. The rate constant is calculated throughout the temperature range. The results of earlier work using stochastic theory are obtained in the limit of weak particle-medium coupling.