Search results for " Quantum Thermodynamics"
showing 5 items of 5 documents
Evolution of a Non-Hermitian Quantum Single-Molecule Junction at Constant Temperature
2021
This work concerns the theoretical description of the quantum dynamics of molecular junctions with thermal fluctuations and probability losses. To this end, we propose a theory for describing non-Hermitian quantum systems embedded in constant-temperature environments. Along the lines discussed in [A. Sergi et al., Symmetry 10 518 (2018)], we adopt the operator-valued Wigner formulation of quantum mechanics (wherein the density matrix depends on the points of the Wigner phase space associated to the system) and derive a non-linear equation of motion. Moreover, we introduce a model for a non-Hermitian quantum single-molecule junction (nHQSMJ). In this model the leads are mapped to a tunneling…
Thermodynamics of a Phase-Driven Proximity Josephson Junction
2019
We study the thermodynamic properties of a superconductor/normal metal/superconductor Josephson junction {in the short limit}. Owing to the proximity effect, such a junction constitutes a thermodynamic system where {phase difference}, supercurrent, temperature and entropy are thermodynamical variables connected by equations of state. These allow conceiving quasi-static processes that we characterize in terms of heat and work exchanged. Finally, we combine such processes to construct a Josephson-based Otto and Stirling cycles. We study the related performance in both engine and refrigerator operating mode.
Fluctuation theorems for non-Markovian quantum processes
2013
Exploiting previous results on Markovian dynamics and fluctuation theorems, we study the consequences of memory effects on single realizations of nonequilibrium processes within an open system approach. The entropy production along single trajectories for forward and backward processes is obtained with the help of a recently proposed classical-like non-Markovian stochastic unravelling, which is demonstrated to lead to a correction of the standard entropic fluctuation theorem. This correction is interpreted as resulting from the interplay between the information extracted from the system through measurements and the flow of information from the environment to the open system: Due to memory e…
Quantum collision models: Open system dynamics from repeated interactions
2022
We present an extensive introduction to quantum collision models (CMs), also known as repeated interactions schemes: a class of microscopic system-bath models for investigating open quantum systems dynamics whose use is currently spreading in a number of research areas. Through dedicated sections and a pedagogical approach, we discuss the CMs definition and general properties, their use for the derivation of master equations, their connection with quantum trajectories, their application in non-equilibrium quantum thermodynamics, their non-Markovian generalizations, their emergence from conventional system-bath microscopic models and link to the input-output formalism. The state of the art o…
Energy bounds for entangled states
2019
We find the minimum and the maximum value for the local energy of an arbitrary bipartite system in a pure state for any given amount of entanglement. We also identify families of states reaching these lower or upper bounds. Moreover, we numerically study the probability of randomly generating pure states close to these energetic bounds finding, in all the considered configurations, that it is extremely low except for the two-qubit case and highly degenerate cases. Then, we show that the bounds found for pure states are valid also for mixed states. These results can be important in quantum technologies to design energetically more efficient entanglement generation protocols. Finally, we poin…