Quantum thermodynamic cycles and quantum heat engines

H. T. Quan, Yu-xi Liu, C. P. Sun, and Franco Nori
Phys. Rev. E 76, 031105 – Published 7 September 2007

Abstract

In order to describe quantum heat engines, here we systematically study isothermal and isochoric processes for quantum thermodynamic cycles. Based on these results the quantum versions of both the Carnot heat engine and the Otto heat engine are defined without ambiguities. We also study the properties of quantum Carnot and Otto heat engines in comparison with their classical counterparts. Relations and mappings between these two quantum heat engines are also investigated by considering their respective quantum thermodynamic processes. In addition, we discuss the role of Maxwell’s demon in quantum thermodynamic cycles. We find that there is no violation of the second law, even in the existence of such a demon, when the demon is included correctly as part of the working substance of the heat engine.

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  • Received 4 December 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.76.031105

©2007 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

H. T. Quan1,2, Yu-xi Liu3,1, C. P. Sun1,2, and Franco Nori1,4

  • 1Frontier Research System, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
  • 2Institute of Theoretical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100080, China
  • 3CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Kawaguchi, Saitama 332-0012, Japan
  • 4Center for Theoretical Physics, Physics Department, Center for the Study of Complex Systems, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-1040, USA

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Vol. 76, Iss. 3 — September 2007

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