Physical Chemistry Seminar: Dynamical View of Quantum Thermodynamics: Insight from heat engines

Abstract:

Quantum thermodynamics addresses the emergence of thermodynamical laws from quantum mechanics. The viewpoint advocated is based on the intimate connection of quantum thermodynamics with the theory of open quantum systems. Quantum mechanics inserts dynamics into thermodynamics giving a sound foundation to nite-time-thermodynamics. The emergence of the 0-law I-law II-law and III-law of thermodynamics from quantum considerations will be presented through examples. I will show that the 3-level laser is equivalent to Carnot engine. I will reverse the engine and obtain a quantum refrigerator. Di erent models of quantum refrigerators and their optimisation will be discussed. A heat-driven refrigerator (absorption refrigerator) is compared to a power-driven refrigerator related to laser cooling. This will lead to a dynamical version of the III-law of thermodynamics limiting the rate of cooling when the absolute zero is approached. I will show that various engine types are thermodynamically equivalent in the quantum limit of small engine action. I will address the question why we nd heat exchangers and ywheels in quantum engines. I will present a molecular model of a heat recti er and a heat pump in a non-Markovian and strong coupling regime.

[1] K. Ho mann, P. Salamon, Y. Rezek, and R. Koslo , EPL (Europhysics Letters) 96, 60015 (2011).

[2] A. Levy, R. Alicki, and R. Koslo , Physical Review E 85, 061126 (2012).

[3] R. Koslo , Entropy 15, 2100 (2013).

[4] R. Koslo and A. Levy, Annual Review of Physical Chemistry 65, 365 (2014).

[5] R. Uzdin and R. Koslo , New Journal of Physics 16, 095003 (2014).

[6] R. Uzdin, A. Levy, and R. Koslo , Phys. Rev. X 5, 031044 (2015).

[7] R. Uzdin, A. Levy, and R. Koslo , Entropy 18, 124 (2016).

[8] G. Katz and R. Koslo , Entropy 18, 186 (2016).