10 May 2016 | Sai Vinjanampathy* and Janet Anders†
Quantum thermodynamics is an emerging field that aims to extend standard thermodynamics and non-equilibrium statistical physics to ensembles of sizes well below the thermodynamic limit, incorporating quantum effects. This field is driven by experimental advances and the potential for future nanoscale applications, attracting researchers from various backgrounds, including statistical physics, many-body theory, mesoscopic physics, and quantum information theory. The article provides an overview of current trends in quantum thermodynamics, addressing topics such as thermalization of quantum systems, definitions of "work," and the efficiency and power of quantum engines.
The introduction discusses the standard laws of thermodynamics, the link between thermodynamics and information processing tasks, and the role of quantum information theory in understanding thermalization. It also covers classical and quantum fluctuation relations, the role of feedback in fluctuation theorems, and classical statistical physics experiments.
The article then delves into quantum dynamics and the foundations of thermodynamics, discussing completely positive maps, the role of fixed points, and thermalization of closed quantum systems. It explores single-shot thermodynamics, including work extraction and the second laws in this context. The operation of quantum thermal machines, such as Carnot, Otto, and Diesel engines, is examined, along with the quantumness of these engines and quantum refrigerators.
Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of open questions in the field, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the need for a unified framework of quantum thermodynamics.Quantum thermodynamics is an emerging field that aims to extend standard thermodynamics and non-equilibrium statistical physics to ensembles of sizes well below the thermodynamic limit, incorporating quantum effects. This field is driven by experimental advances and the potential for future nanoscale applications, attracting researchers from various backgrounds, including statistical physics, many-body theory, mesoscopic physics, and quantum information theory. The article provides an overview of current trends in quantum thermodynamics, addressing topics such as thermalization of quantum systems, definitions of "work," and the efficiency and power of quantum engines.
The introduction discusses the standard laws of thermodynamics, the link between thermodynamics and information processing tasks, and the role of quantum information theory in understanding thermalization. It also covers classical and quantum fluctuation relations, the role of feedback in fluctuation theorems, and classical statistical physics experiments.
The article then delves into quantum dynamics and the foundations of thermodynamics, discussing completely positive maps, the role of fixed points, and thermalization of closed quantum systems. It explores single-shot thermodynamics, including work extraction and the second laws in this context. The operation of quantum thermal machines, such as Carnot, Otto, and Diesel engines, is examined, along with the quantumness of these engines and quantum refrigerators.
Finally, the article concludes with a discussion of open questions in the field, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and the need for a unified framework of quantum thermodynamics.