Cooperative efficiency boost for quantum heat engines

Efficiency bounds for nonequilibrium heat engines

We analyze the efficiency of thermal engines (either quantum or classical) working with a single heat reservoir like an atmosphere. The engine first gets an energy intake, which can be done in an arbitrary nonequilibrium way e.g. combustion of fuel. Then the engine performs the work and returns to the initial state. We distinguish two general classes of engines where the working body first equi...

Quantum thermodynamic cycles and quantum heat engines.

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. Relat...

Supplementary Information for Quantum heat engines: A thermodynamic analysis of power and efficiency

Quantum heat engines and nonequilibrium temperature.

A pair of two-level systems initially prepared in different thermal states and coupled to an external reversible work source do not in general reach a common temperature at the end of a unitary work extraction process. We define an effective temperature for the final nonequilibrium but passive state of the bipartite quantum system and analyze its properties.

Molecular Heat Engines: Quantum Coherence Effects

Recent developments in nanoscale experimental techniques made it possible to utilize single molecule junctions as devices for electronics and energy transfer with quantum coherence playing an important role in their thermoelectric characteristics. Theoretical studies on the efficiency of nanoscale devices usually employ rate (Pauli) equations, which do not account for quantum coherence. Therefo...