Work extraction from quantum systems with bounded fluctuations in work

Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2016 papers

Abstract

In the standard framework of thermodynamics, work is a random variable whose average is bounded by the change in free energy of the system. This average work is calculated without regard for the size of its fluctuations. Here we show that for some processes, such as reversible cooling, the fluctuations in work diverge. Realistic thermal machines may be unable to cope with arbitrarily large fluctuations. Hence, it is important to understand how thermodynamic efficiency rates are modified by bounding fluctuations. We quantify the work content and work of formation of arbitrary finite dimensional quantum states when the fluctuations in work are bounded by a given amount c. By varying c we interpolate between the standard and minimum free energies. We derive fundamental trade-offs between the magnitude of work and its fluctuations. As one application of these results, we derive the corrected Carnot efficiency of a qubit heat engine with bounded fluctuations.

Related Papers

• → The maximum power output and maximum efficiency of an irreversible Carnot heat engine(1994)272 cited
• → Thermal efficiency at maximum work output: New results for old heat engines(1987)221 cited
• → Attaining Carnot efficiency with quantum and nanoscale heat engines(2021)24 cited
• → Achieving the classical Carnot efficiency in a strongly coupled quantum heat engine(2018)20 cited