Thermalization in open quantum systems

We study thermalization in open quantum systems using the Lindblad formalism.  We introduce a method that leads to thermalization while coupling Lindblad operators only at the edges of the system. Our method leads to a Gibbs state of the system, satisfies fluctuation-dissipation relations, and applies both to integrable and nonintegrable systems. Possible applications of the method include an analytical calculation of the rate of equilibration, and the study of systems coupled locally to multiple reservoirs. Our analysis highlights the limits of applicability of the Lindblad approach to study strongly driven systems.