Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 119, Nos. 1/2, April 2005. p. 241-271.
DOI: 10.1007/s10955-004-2722-5.
It is shown that the method proposed in V. F. Los [J. Phys. A: Math. Gen. 34: 6389-6403 (2001)], which allows for turning the inhomogeneous time-convolution generalized master equation (TC-GME) into homogeneous (while retaining initial correlations) time-convolution generalized master equation (TC-HGME) for the relevant part of a distribution function, is fully applicable to the quantum case and to the time-convolutionless GME (TCL-GME). It is demonstrated by rederiving the TC-HGME and showing that it works in both the classical and quantum physics cases. The time-convolutionless HGME (TCL-HGME) retaining initial correlations, which is formally the same for both the classical and quantum physics, has also been derived. Both the TC-HGME and TCL-HGME are exact equations applicable on any timescale and allow for consecutive treating the initial correlations and collisions on the equal footing. A new equation for a momentum distribution function retaining initial correlations has been obtained in the linear in the density of quantum particles approximation. Connection of this equation to the quantum Boltzmann equation is discussed.