DECAYING SYSTEMS WITH DEGENERATE LIVSIC MATRIX

The spectral analysis given by Wong for the resolvent of a non-self-adjoint operator with arbitrary multiplicity is utilized for the description of the time evolution of an unstable system. After studying the case for which the operator is independent of the resolvent variable z, the Wong analysis is extended to the physically interesting case for which the operator depends on z. The case of infinite multiplicity is treated, and it is found that the flow of probability through the generalized eigenstates is analogous to the approach to equilibrium in statistical mechanics. © 1980 American Institute of Physics.