  We study the real time dynamics of a quantum system with potential barrier
coupled to a heat-bath environment. Employing the path integral approach an
evolution equation for the time dependent density matrix is derived. The time
evolution is evaluated explicitly near the barrier top in the temperature
region where quantum effects become important. It is shown that there exists a
quasi-stationary state with a constant flux across the potential barrier. This
state generalizes the Kramers flux solution of the classical Fokker-Planck
equation to the quantum regime. In the temperature range explored the quantum
flux state depends only on the parabolic approximation of the anharmonic
barrier potential near the top. The parameter range within which the solution
is valid is investigated in detail. In particular, by matching the flux state
onto the equilibrium state on one side of the barrier we gain a condition on
the minimal damping strength. For very high temperatures this condition reduces
to a known result from classical rate theory. Within the specified parameter
range the decay rate out of a metastable state is calculated from the flux
solution. The rate is shown to coincide with the result of purely thermodynamic
methods. The real time approach presented can be extended to lower temperatures
and smaller damping.
