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I want to derive the quantum state for the canonical ensemble which maximizes the entropy under constraints: $$S[\hat{\rho}] = -k_B \text{Tr}[\hat{\rho}\log\hat{\rho}]-\nu(\text{Tr}[\hat{\rho}]-1) - \eta(\text{Tr}[\hat{\rho}\hat{H}]-E),$$ where $\hat{H}$ is the Hamiltonian, $E$ is the average energy and $\nu, \eta$ are Lagrange multipliers.

Well I can say that the density matrix operator is diagonal $\hat{\rho} = \sum_{i}p_i|i\rangle\langle i|$ and derive expressions for $p_i$. I don't know, however, how to show that the states $|i\rangle$ should be the eigenstates of $\hat{H}$.

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  • $\begingroup$ Is the density operator explicitely time-dependent in the Schroedinger picture? $\endgroup$
    – DanielC
    Jan 22, 2018 at 18:02
  • $\begingroup$ @DanielC no it is not. $\endgroup$
    – WoofDoggy
    Jan 22, 2018 at 18:26
  • $\begingroup$ Then you need to use the quantum Liouville equation (also known as von-Neumann equation for the density operator) $\endgroup$
    – DanielC
    Jan 22, 2018 at 22:41

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