  A quantum analogue of the Jarzynski equality is constructed. This equality
connects an ensemble average of exponentiated work with the Helmholtz
free-energy difference in a nonequilibrium switching process subject to a
thermal heat bath. To confirm its validity in a practical situation, we also
investigate an open quantum system that is a spin 1/2 system with a scanning
magnetic field interacting with a thermal heat bath. As a result, we find that
the quantum analogue functions well.
