Dynamics and Averages in Hilbert Space

Gemmer, Jochen; Michel, M.; Mahler, G.

doi:10.1007/978-3-540-70510-9_7

Cited by 1 publication

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“…Quantum thermodynamics is the study of thermodynamic quantities such as temperature, heat, work, and entropy in microscopic quantum systems or even for a single particle. This study includes dynamical analysis of engines and refrigerators in the quantum regime [1,14,, theoretical frameworks that take into account single-shot events [41,42], and the study of thermalization mechanisms [43][44][45]. Another topic of interest in quantum thermodynamics is algorithmic cooling [46][47][48][49][50].…”

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confidence: 99%

Equivalence of Quantum Heat Machines, and Quantum-Thermodynamic Signatures

2015

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Quantum heat engines (QHE) are thermal machines where the working substance is a quantum object. In the extreme case, the working medium can be a single particle or a few-level quantum system. The study of QHE has shown a remarkable similarity with macroscopic thermodynamical results, thus raising the issue of what is quantum in quantum thermodynamics. Our main result is the thermodynamical equivalence of all engine types in the quantum regime of small action with respect to Planck's constant. They have the same power, the same heat, and the same efficiency, and they even have the same relaxation rates and relaxation modes. Furthermore, it is shown that QHE have quantum-thermodynamic signature; i.e., thermodynamic measurements can confirm the presence of quantum effects in the device. We identify generic coherent and stochastic work extraction mechanisms and show that coherence enables power outputs that greatly exceed the power of stochastic (dephased) engines.

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