Work production of quantum rotor engines
We study the mechanical performance of quantum rotor heat engines in terms of common notions of work using two prototypical models: a mill driven by the heat flow from a hot to a cold mode, and a piston driven by the alternate heating and cooling of a single working mode. We evaluate the extractable...
Main Authors: | , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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IOP Publishing
2018-01-01
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Series: | New Journal of Physics |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aab704 |
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author | Stella Seah Stefan Nimmrichter Valerio Scarani |
author_facet | Stella Seah Stefan Nimmrichter Valerio Scarani |
author_sort | Stella Seah |
collection | DOAJ |
description | We study the mechanical performance of quantum rotor heat engines in terms of common notions of work using two prototypical models: a mill driven by the heat flow from a hot to a cold mode, and a piston driven by the alternate heating and cooling of a single working mode. We evaluate the extractable work in terms of ergotropy, the kinetic energy associated to net directed rotation, as well as the intrinsic work based on the exerted torque under autonomous operation, and we compare them to the energy output for the case of an external dissipative load and for externally driven engine cycles. Our results connect work definitions from both physical and information-theoretical perspectives. In particular, we find that apart from signatures of angular momentum quantization, the ergotropy is consistent with the intuitive notion of work in the form of net directed motion. It also agrees with the energy output to an external load or agent under optimal conditions. This sets forth a consistent thermodynamical description of rotating quantum motors, flywheels, and clocks. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:37:26Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-65872f599f424dcdbc769307dc971346 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 1367-2630 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-12T16:37:26Z |
publishDate | 2018-01-01 |
publisher | IOP Publishing |
record_format | Article |
series | New Journal of Physics |
spelling | doaj.art-65872f599f424dcdbc769307dc9713462023-08-08T14:48:52ZengIOP PublishingNew Journal of Physics1367-26302018-01-0120404304510.1088/1367-2630/aab704Work production of quantum rotor enginesStella Seah0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8295-8594Stefan Nimmrichter1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9566-3824Valerio Scarani2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5594-5616Department of Physics, National University of Singapore , 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542, SingaporeCentre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore , 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, SingaporeDepartment of Physics, National University of Singapore , 2 Science Drive 3, Singapore 117542, Singapore; Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore , 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, SingaporeWe study the mechanical performance of quantum rotor heat engines in terms of common notions of work using two prototypical models: a mill driven by the heat flow from a hot to a cold mode, and a piston driven by the alternate heating and cooling of a single working mode. We evaluate the extractable work in terms of ergotropy, the kinetic energy associated to net directed rotation, as well as the intrinsic work based on the exerted torque under autonomous operation, and we compare them to the energy output for the case of an external dissipative load and for externally driven engine cycles. Our results connect work definitions from both physical and information-theoretical perspectives. In particular, we find that apart from signatures of angular momentum quantization, the ergotropy is consistent with the intuitive notion of work in the form of net directed motion. It also agrees with the energy output to an external load or agent under optimal conditions. This sets forth a consistent thermodynamical description of rotating quantum motors, flywheels, and clocks.https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aab704quantum thermodynamicsautonomous heat enginesquantum thermal machinesplanar rotorsdissipationextractable work |
spellingShingle | Stella Seah Stefan Nimmrichter Valerio Scarani Work production of quantum rotor engines New Journal of Physics quantum thermodynamics autonomous heat engines quantum thermal machines planar rotors dissipation extractable work |
title | Work production of quantum rotor engines |
title_full | Work production of quantum rotor engines |
title_fullStr | Work production of quantum rotor engines |
title_full_unstemmed | Work production of quantum rotor engines |
title_short | Work production of quantum rotor engines |
title_sort | work production of quantum rotor engines |
topic | quantum thermodynamics autonomous heat engines quantum thermal machines planar rotors dissipation extractable work |
url | https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/aab704 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT stellaseah workproductionofquantumrotorengines AT stefannimmrichter workproductionofquantumrotorengines AT valerioscarani workproductionofquantumrotorengines |