Optimally chosen Nakajima-Zwanzig master equation for mean field approximation

We define an ensemble of projection operators, each of which has an exact associated Nakajima-Zwanzig master equation for quantum open system evolution. A mean field approximation for the memory kernels is introduced that yields, for an optimally chosen projection operator, a completely determined inhomogeneous master equation. Previous proofs of positivity and equilibration are extended to these new inhomogeneous non-Markovian master equations. We study a nitrogen vacancy center in diamond interacting with 13C impurities to illustrate the method.