# Alternate definitions of Thermal states

The definition of thermal states I'm used to is:

$$\tau_{\beta} = \frac{1}{Z}\,e^{-\beta H}$$

where $$Z$$ is the partition function defined as $$Z= \mathrm{Tr}(e^{-\beta H})$$, $$\beta$$ the inverse temperature and H the system's Hamiltonian. I think if the Hamiltonian is not time dependent $$H=\sum_n \varepsilon_n |n\rangle\langle n|$$ I can rewrite the thermal state

$$\tau_{\beta_1} = \frac{1}{Z}e^{-\beta H} = \frac{1}{Z}\exp\left(-\beta \sum_n \varepsilon_n |n\rangle\langle n|\right) = \frac{1}{Z}\sum_ne^{-\beta \varepsilon_n} |n\rangle\langle n| .$$

Is this calculation correct?

In case it is correct, I just came across another version of it (I believe)

$$\tau_{\beta_2} = (1-e^{-\beta \omega}) \sum_n e^{-n\beta\omega}| n\rangle\langle n|$$

where $$\omega$$ is the frequency of some harmonic oscillator.

Can someone explain to me how these two definitions $$(\tau_{\beta_1}$$ and $$\tau_{\beta_2})$$ relate to each other?

I would call this the (normalized) density operator (or density matrix), in which case, yes, I think the expressions are correct.

For the quantum harmonic oscillator, in units where $$\hbar=1$$, and measuring energies from the ground state energy, the energy levels are $$\varepsilon_n=n\omega$$ for $$n=0,1,2,\ldots$$ and the partition function is $$Z=\sum_{n=0}^\infty \exp(-n\beta\omega) = \frac{1}{1-\exp(-\beta\omega)} .$$ So everything is fine: the second formula is a particular example of the first.

• Thank you very much! Exactly what I needed! – Benjamin Jabl Jan 3 at 18:55

Your second version of the density operator is the specific case in which the Hamiltonian is that of a simple quantum harmonic oscillator, namely

$$H=\hbar\omega\left(a^{\dagger}a+\frac{1}{2}\right).$$

In terms of this Hamiltonian, the energy levels are (setting $$\hbar=1$$) $$\varepsilon_n=\omega(n+1/2)$$. Thus, the partition function is

$$Z=\sum_{n\geq 0}e^{-\beta\omega(n+1/2)}=\frac{e^{-\beta\omega/2}}{1-e^{-\beta\omega}}.$$

Thus, the density operator is given by

$$\tau_{\beta}=\frac{1}{Z}\sum_{n\geq 0}e^{-\beta\omega(n+1/2)}\,|n\rangle\langle n|=(1-e^{-\beta\omega})\sum_{n\geq 0}e^{-\beta\omega n}\,|n\rangle\langle n|,$$

as stated.