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Special Issue "Thermodynamics in Quantum and Mesoscopic Systems"

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A special issue of Entropy (ISSN 1099-4300). This special issue belongs to the section "Thermodynamics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2023 | Viewed by 8782

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gershon Kurizki

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Guest Editor

Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 761001, Israel
Interests: quantum estimation; quantum noise; quantum dynamical control; quantum sensing

Dr. David Gelbwaser-Klimovsky
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Guest Editor

Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel
Interests: quantum thermodynamics; open quantum systems; non-equilibrium systems; active matter; nonreciprocal systems; strong coupling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Historically, thermodynamics was developed to study complex, macroscopic systems, where the standard “thermodynamic limit” applies. Nevertheless, recent experimental and theoretical progress offers glimpses into unconventional thermodynamic behavior in mesoscopic and quantum systems due to size-dependent fluctuations and quantum effects. This focus issue provides a venue for experimental and theoretical studies of thermodynamics on any topic related to mesoscopic and quantum systems. The aim is to advance our understanding of the principles underlying their thermalization and the exchange of heat, work, and information, as well as their foreseeable applications.

Prof. Dr. Gershon Kurizki
Dr. David Gelbwaser-Klimovsky
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Entropy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

quantum thermodynamics
mesoscopic thermodynamics
information thermodynamics
non-reciprocal system thermodynamics
heat machines
thermalization
heat flow
thermometry
cooling
refrigeration

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

Open AccessArticle

Thermodynamics of Quantum Spin-Bath Depolarization

Durga Bhaktavatsala Rao Dasari

Entropy 2023, 25(2), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/e25020340 - 13 Feb 2023

Viewed by 878

Abstract

We analyze here through exact calculations the thermodynamical effects in depolarizing a quantum spin-bath initially at zero temperature through a quantum probe coupled to an infinite temperature bath by evaluating the heat and entropy changes. We show that the correlations induced in the bath during the depolarizing process does not allow for the entropy of the bath to increase towards its maximal limit. On the contrary, the energy deposited in the bath can be completely extracted in a finite time. We explore these findings through an exactly solvable central spin model, wherein a central spin-

1 / 2

system is homogeneously coupled to a bath of identical spins. Further, we show that, upon destroying these unwanted correlations, we boost the rate of both energy extraction and entropy towards their limiting values. We envisage that these studies are relevant for quantum battery research wherein both charging and discharging processes are key to characterizing the battery performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics in Quantum and Mesoscopic Systems)

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Open AccessArticle

Measurement-Based Quantum Thermal Machines with Feedback Control

and

Entropy 2023, 25(2), 204; https://doi.org/10.3390/e25020204 - 20 Jan 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1271

Abstract

We investigated coupled-qubit-based thermal machines powered by quantum measurements and feedback. We considered two different versions of the machine: (1) a quantum Maxwell’s demon, where the coupled-qubit system is connected to a detachable single shared bath, and (2) a measurement-assisted refrigerator, where the coupled-qubit system is in contact with a hot and cold bath. In the quantum Maxwell’s demon case, we discuss both discrete and continuous measurements. We found that the power output from a single qubit-based device can be improved by coupling it to the second qubit. We further found that the simultaneous measurement of both qubits can produce higher net heat extraction compared to two setups operated in parallel where only single-qubit measurements are performed. In the refrigerator case, we used continuous measurement and unitary operations to power the coupled-qubit-based refrigerator. We found that the cooling power of a refrigerator operated with swap operations can be enhanced by performing suitable measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics in Quantum and Mesoscopic Systems)

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Open AccessArticle

Universal Behavior of the Coulomb-Coupled Fermionic Thermal Diode

Shuvadip Ghosh

Nikhil Gupt

and

Arnab Ghosh

Entropy 2022, 24(12), 1810; https://doi.org/10.3390/e24121810 - 12 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 937

Abstract

We propose a minimal model of a Coulomb-coupled fermionic quantum dot thermal diode that can act as an efficient thermal switch and exhibit complete rectification behavior, even in the presence of a small temperature gradient. Using two well-defined dimensionless system parameters, universal characteristics of the optimal heat current conditions are identified. It is shown to be independent of any system parameter and is obtained only at the mean transitions point “−0.5”, associated with the equilibrium distribution of the two fermionic reservoirs, tacitly referred to as “universal magic mean”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics in Quantum and Mesoscopic Systems)

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Open AccessArticle

A Schmidt Decomposition Approach to Quantum Thermodynamics

André Hernandes Alves Malavazi

and

Frederico Brito

Entropy 2022, 24(11), 1645; https://doi.org/10.3390/e24111645 - 12 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1610

Abstract

The development of a self-consistent thermodynamic theory of quantum systems is of fundamental importance for modern physics. Still, despite its essential role in quantum science and technology, there is no unifying formalism for characterizing the thermodynamics within general autonomous quantum systems, and many fundamental open questions remain unanswered. Along these lines, most current efforts and approaches restrict the analysis to particular scenarios of approximative descriptions and semi-classical regimes. Here, we propose a novel approach to describe the thermodynamics of arbitrary bipartite autonomous quantum systems based on the well-known Schmidt decomposition. This formalism provides a simple, exact, and symmetrical framework for expressing the energetics between interacting systems, including scenarios beyond the standard description regimes, such as strong coupling. We show that this procedure allows straightforward identification of local effective operators suitable for characterizing the physical local internal energies. We also demonstrate that these quantities naturally satisfy the usual thermodynamic notion of energy additivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics in Quantum and Mesoscopic Systems)

Open AccessArticle

Bath Engineering Enhanced Quantum Critical Engines

Revathy B.S

Victor Mukherjee

and

Uma Divakaran

Entropy 2022, 24(10), 1458; https://doi.org/10.3390/e24101458 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1667

Abstract

Driving a quantum system across quantum critical points leads to non-adiabatic excitations in the system. This in turn may adversely affect the functioning of a quantum machine which uses a quantum critical substance as its working medium. Here we propose a bath-engineered quantum engine (BEQE), in which we use the Kibble–Zurek mechanism and critical scaling laws to formulate a protocol for enhancing the performance of finite-time quantum engines operating close to quantum phase transitions. In the case of free fermionic systems, BEQE enables finite-time engines to outperform engines operating in the presence of shortcuts to adiabaticity, and even infinite-time engines under suitable conditions, thus showing the remarkable advantages offered by this technique. Open questions remain regarding the use of BEQE based on non-integrable models. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics in Quantum and Mesoscopic Systems)

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Open AccessArticle

Energy Cost of Dynamical Stabilization: Stored versus Dissipated Energy

Armen E. Allahverdyan

and

Edvard A. Khalafyan

Entropy 2022, 24(8), 1020; https://doi.org/10.3390/e24081020 - 24 Jul 2022

Viewed by 987

Abstract

Dynamical stabilization processes (homeostasis) are ubiquitous in nature, but the needed energetic resources for their existence have not been studied systematically. Here, we undertake such a study using the famous model of Kapitza’s pendulum, which has attracted attention in the context of classical and quantum control. This model is generalized and rendered autonomous, and we show that friction and stored energy stabilize the upper (normally unstable) state of the pendulum. The upper state can be rendered asymptotically stable, yet it does not cost any constant dissipation of energy, and only a transient energy dissipation is needed. Asymptotic stability under a single perturbation does not imply stability with respect to multiple perturbations. For a range of pendulum–controller interactions, there is also a regime where constant energy dissipation is needed for stabilization. Several mechanisms are studied for the decay of dynamically stabilized states. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamics in Quantum and Mesoscopic Systems)

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