Effect of dissipation on phase periodicity and the quantum dynamics of Josephson junctions

We consider systems described by compact, periodic variables, such as Josephson junctions and small normal metal rings. We examine how they can be coupled to a heat bath, via either momentum or position coupling, and how the two descriptions can be related by a unitary transformation. We show how it is critical to transform not only the Hamiltonian, but also the initial conditions. We then demonstrate that for certain types of initial conditions, paths of different winding number can interfere. Still other, ostensibly reasonable initial conditions, have no such interference. We conclude with a discussion of appropriate models to describe periodic systems.