Nakajima-Zwanzig's generalized master equation: Evaluation of the kernel of the integro-differential equation

A method is presented, which allows the exact elimination of the projection operator from the kernel of the Nakajima-Zwanzig generalized master equation without using perturbational expansions. Expressions for kernels of generalized master equations using several frequently occuring types of projection operators are derived explicitly. The application of this method for the exact derivation of generalized master equations describing the coherent and the coupled coherent and incoherent exciton motion is proposed. As another application, the derivation of the Smoluchowski equation is suggested.