Computing characteristic functions of quantum work in phase space

Abstract: In phase space, we analytically obtain the characteristic functions (CFs) of a forced harmonic oscillator [Talkner et al., Phys. Rev. E, 75, 050102 (2007)], a time-dependent mass and frequency harmonic oscillator [Deffner and Lutz, Phys. Rev. E, 77, 021128 (2008)], and coupled harmonic oscillators under driving forces in a simple and unified way. For general quantum systems, a numerical method that approximates the CFs to $\hbar^2$ order is proposed. We exemplify the method with a time-dependent frequency harmonic oscillator and a family of quantum systems with time-dependent even power-law potentials.