Relaxation mechanisms density matrix method

The density matrix method is useful in treating relaxation processes, linear and non-linear laser spectroscopies and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. In this chapter, the definition of density matrix and the equation of motion (EOM) it follows are introduced. The projection operator technique, which makes the density matrix method a very powerful tool in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics, is presented. 

Many workers have in fact used density matrix methods for the calculation of line shapes and intensities in multiple resonance experiments, and two excellent reviews of the background theory are available. (49, 50) In addition there is also a simple guide (51) to the actual use of the method which is capable of predicting the results of quite elaborate experiments. Major applications have included the calculation of the complete double resonance spectrum from an AX spin system which gives 12 transitions in all (52) an extremely detailed study of the relaxation behaviour of the AX2 systems provided by 1,1,2-trichloroethane and 2,2-dichloroethanol (53) the effects of gating and of selective and non-selective pulses on AB and AX spin systems and the importance of the time evolution of the off-diagonal elements of the density matrix in repetitively pulsed FT NMR and spin-echo work (54) the use of double resonance to sort out relaxation mechanisms and transient responses (55) the calculation of general multiple resonance spectra (56) and triple resonance studies of relaxation in AB and AX spin systems. (57)... 

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