Physics – Quantum Physics
Scientific paper
2009-11-27
Phys. Rev. E 81, 021118 (2010)
Physics
Quantum Physics
13 pages, 6 figures
Scientific paper
10.1103/PhysRevE.81.021118
With the development of quantum thermodynamics it has been shown that relaxation to thermal equilibrium and with it the concept of heat flux may emerge directly from quantum mechanics. This happens for a large class of quantum systems if embedded into another quantum environment. In this paper, we discuss the complementary question of the emergence of work flux from quantum mechanics. We introduce and discuss two different methods to assess the work source quality of a system, one based on the generalized factorization approximation, the other based on generalized definitions of work and heat. By means of those methods, we show that small quantum systems can, indeed, act as work reservoirs. We illustrate this behavior for a simple system consisting of a spin coupled to an oscillator and investigate the effects of two different interactions on the work source quality. One case will be shown to allow for a work source functionality of arbitrarily high quality.
Mahler Günter
Schröder Heiko
No associations
LandOfFree
Work exchange between quantum systems: the spin-oscillator model does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Work exchange between quantum systems: the spin-oscillator model, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Work exchange between quantum systems: the spin-oscillator model will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-195584