Quantum master equations and steady states for the ultrastrong-coupling limit and the strong-decoherence limit

Abstract: In the framework of theory of open quantum systems, we derive quantum master equations for the ultrastrong system-bath coupling regime and, more generally, the strong-decoherence regime. In this regime, the strong decoherence is complemented by slow relaxation processes. We use a generalization of the Foerster and modified Redfield peturbation theories known in theory of excitation energy transfer. Also, we show that the mean force Gibbs state in the corresponding limits are stationary for the derived master equations.