Berlin 2005 – scientific programme

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DY: Dynamik und Statistische Physik

DY 13: Quantum Chaos

DY 13.15: Talk

Friday, March 4, 2005, 17:45–18:00, TU H2032

Autonomous Quantum Thermodynamic Machines — •Friedemann Tonner and Günter Mahler — Institut für Theoretische Physik 1, Universität Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, D-70550 Stuttgart, Universität Stuttgart

How far can a thermodynamic machine be down-scaled? We show, how each functional part of a thermodynamic machine (gas system, piston, control of bath coupling, work reservoir) can be modeled quantum mechanically. Our approach is unique in constructing an autonomous model consisting of a spin (acting as gas system) and a harmonic oscillator (acting as piston, bath-control and work variable) using autonomous Hamiltonians and incoherent Lindblad operators (bath coupling is Markovian). We present explicit results for Carnot-like cyclic processes (heat engine and heat pump). Thermodynamic machines prove to be ideal testbeds for exploring quantum control in open systems.