The density matrix ˆρ for a canonical ensemble is given by ˆρ=∑ne−βEn|n⟩⟨n|Z =e−βE0Z[∑n=0|0⟩⟨0|+∑n=1e−β(E1−E0)|1⟩⟨1|+∑n=2e−β(E2−E0)|2⟩⟨2|+...] where the sum over n, represents the sum over quantum states, not energy levels. Also note that since E0 is the ground state enrgy, the difference (En−E0)>0, for all n>0.
As T=0, or equivalently, β→∞, only the first term in (2)contributes dominantly. The density matrix ˆρ goes to ˆρ→1Zg(E0)e−βE0|E0⟩⟨E0| where partition function Z goes to Z→g(E0)e−βE0 Here, g(En) represents the degeneracy of the nth energy level with energy eigenvalue En. With (1) and (2), the density matrix simplifies to ˆρ=|E0⟩⟨E0| so that ˆρ2=ˆρ. Therefore, the calculation implies that at T=0, the system goes to a pure state.
I don't understand this physically. There will be degeneracies in the ground state. Then why should the system settle down in a pure state? And which degenerate state will it settle down? Intuitively, at T=0, the system should be described by an ensemble every member of which are in the ground energy level but in different degenerate states.
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