Abstract
Gaussian quantum Markov semigroups (GQMSs) are of fundamental importance in modelling the evolution of several quantum systems. Moreover, they represent the noncommutative generalization of classical Orsntein-Uhlenbeck semigroups; analogously to the classical case, GQMSs are uniquely determined by a "drift" matrix Z and a "diffusion" matrix C, together with a displacement vector ζ. In this work, we completely characterize those GQMSs that admit a normal invariant state and we provide a description of the set of normal invariant states; as a side result, we are able to characterize quadratic Hamiltonians admitting a ground state. Moreover, we study the behavior of such semigroups for long times: firstly, we clarify the relationship between the decoherence-free subalgebra and the spectrum of Z. Then, we prove that environment-induced decoherence takes place and that the dynamics approaches an Hamiltonian closed evolution for long times; we are also able to determine the speed at which this happens. Finally, we study convergence of ergodic means and recurrence and transience of the semigroup.