Application of the theory of open quantum systems to nuclear physics problems

Quantum diffusion equations with transport coefficients explicitly depending on time are derived from the generalized non-Markovian Langevin equations. The asymptotic behavior of the friction and diffusion coefficients is investigated in the case of the FC and RWA couplings between the collective and internal subsystems. An asymptotic expression is obtained for the propagator of the density matrix of the open quantum system with the general quadratic Hamiltonian, linearly coupled (in coordinate and momentum) to internal degrees of freedom. The effect of different sets of transport coefficients on the decoherence and decay rate of the metastable state is investigated using the master equation for the reduced density matrix of open quantum systems. The developed approach is used to study the capture of the projectile nucleus by the target nucleus at energies near the Coulomb barrier. Capture cross sections in asymmetric reactions are well described with allowance for the calculated capture probabilities. Particular cases where dissipation favors penetration through the potential barrier are found. The generalized Kramers formula for the quasi-stationary decay rate of the quantum metastable systems is analytically derived.