Quantization Breaks Classical Mpemba Constraints

arXiv:2611.15349v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: The Mpemba effect, in which an initially hotter system relaxes faster than a colder one, has been widely studied in both classical and quantum systems, yet identifying the specific effects of quantization requires a consistent comparison with the corresponding classical dynamics. Starting from the Caldeira-Leggett model, we establish a quantum-classical correspondence for thermal relaxation. We find that the locality of classical energy diffusion forbids the Mpemba effect in single-well and symmetric double-well potentials. Conversely, quantum dynamics allows for direct transitions between nonadjacent energy levels, overcoming the constraints of classical local energy diffusion and enabling the Mpemba effect in these potentials.