Abstract
We address the dynamics of open quantum systems, in which complex finite time initial conditions, an ensuing rapid non-equilibrium transient, quantum interferences and their attenuation play important roles. To study all these phenomena in conditions of general non-equilibrium, open systems are represented by a simple structure of a molecular island between two leads.
We treat this model using the non-equilibrium Green functions (NGF) method for a finite initial condition. We demonstrate that the non-interacting molecular bridge model captures well many features of general open quantum systems.
Three stages of its non-equilibrium evolution, the first described by the full NGF description, the second ruled by the asymptotically exact generalized master equation and the third governed by a Markovian master equation, are delineated and related to each other.