Quantum-Statistical Metastability

Consider a system rendered unstable by both quantum tunneling and thermodynamic fluctuation. The tunneling rate, at temperature ^-1, is related to the free energy F by = (2) ImF. However, the classical escape rate is = () ImF, -^2 being the negative eigenvalue at the saddle point. A general theory of metastability is constructed in which these formulas are true for temperatures, respectively, below and above 2 with a narrow transition region of O (^3{2}).