Quantum kinetic theory of time-correlation functions

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Abstract
A quantum kinetic theory of time-correlation functions is described in terms of a formally exact closure of the Bogoliubov-Born-Green-Kirkwood-Yvon hierarchy. The theory closely parallels existing treatments of the corresponding classical problem, so that direct comparisons between approximations for classical and quantum systems may be made. As an illustration, the formalism is applied to conditions of low density, but arbitrary degeneracy, and the resulting kinetic equation is shown to reduce to the linearized form of the Uehling-Uhlenbeck equation with the cross section appropriately modified to account for degeneracy. Also, classical approximations suitable for strongly coupled fluids are generalized to the quantum case. The results are applied to evaluation of the electrical conductivity for a two-component plasma in the following paper.