Erlangen 2022 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 4: Quantum Information (Concepts and Methods) I
Q 4.4: Talk
Monday, March 14, 2022, 14:45–15:00, Q-H12
Exact approach to strong-coupling quantum thermodynamics in open systems — •Alessandra Colla1 and Heinz-Peter Breuer1,2 — 1Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany — 2EUCOR Centre for Quantum Science and Quantum Computing, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany
The formulation of a solid and consistent thermodynamic theory in the quantum regime has proven to be extremely challenging. Particularly in the case of strong system-reservoir interactions, agreement on how to properly define thermodynamic quantities such as work, heat, and entropy production has yet to be reached. Using the exact time- local quantum master equation for the reduced open system states, we develop an exact theory describing the thermodynamical behavior of open quantum systems coupled to thermal baths [1]. We define an effective energy operator for the reduced system using a recent principle of minimal dissipation, which gives a unique prescription for decomposing the master equation into a Hamiltonian part (coherent evolution) and a dissipator part (decoherence). From this, we derive the first two laws of thermodynamics and investigate the relationship between violations of the second law and quantum non-Markovianity.
[1] A. Colla and H.-P. Breuer, arXiv:2109.11893 [quant-ph] (2021)