Quantum Collapse and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Details Quantum Collapse and the Second Law of Thermodynamics Quantum Collapse and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

2012-03-02

arxiv.org/abs/1203.0585v1

Physics

Quantum Physics

5 pages, 1 figure

Scientific paper

We discuss the implications of quantum mechanics on extracting thermodynamic work from a single heat bath. On one hand, non-orthogonal quantum states are beneficial since they can potentially break detailed balance. On the other hand, measuring such states results in entropy generation and added inefficiencies due to decoherence and the probabilistic nature of quantum collapse. Using the setup of Maxwell's demon, we quantify these two competing facets of a quantum heat engine. We suggest that the measurement postulate of quantum mechanics is intricately connected to the second law of thermodynamics. More precisely, if quantum measurement outcomes are not inherently probabilistic, then the second law of thermodynamics can be violated.

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