Abstract
Normally, quantum fluctuations enhance the escape from metastable states in the presence of dissipation. Here we show that dissipation can enhance the stability of a quantum metastable system, consisting of a particle moving in a strongly asymmetric double well potential, interacting with a thermal bath. We find that the escape time from the metastable region has a nonmonotonic behavior versus the system-bath coupling and the temperature, producing a stabilizing effect.
- Received 29 July 2014
- Revised 26 March 2015
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.235412
©2015 American Physical Society
