TY - JOUR
T1 - The quantum refrigerator
T2 - The quest for absolute zero
AU - Rezek, Y.
AU - Salamon, P.
AU - Hoffmann, K. H.
AU - Kosloff, R.
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - The emergence of the laws of thermodynamics from the laws of quantum mechanics is an unresolved issue. The generation of the third law of thermodynamics from quantum dynamics is analysed. The scaling of the optimal cooling power of a reciprocating quantum refrigerator is sought as a function of the cold bath temperature as Tc→0. The working medium consists of noninteracting particles in a harmonic potential. Two closed-form solutions of the refrigeration cycle are analyzed, and compared to a numerical optimization scheme, focusing on cooling toward zero temperature. The optimal cycle is characterized by linear relations between the heat extracted from the cold bath, the energy level spacing of the working medium and the temperature. The scaling of the optimal cooling rate is found to be proportional to T c3/2 giving a dynamical interpretation to the third law of thermodynamics.
AB - The emergence of the laws of thermodynamics from the laws of quantum mechanics is an unresolved issue. The generation of the third law of thermodynamics from quantum dynamics is analysed. The scaling of the optimal cooling power of a reciprocating quantum refrigerator is sought as a function of the cold bath temperature as Tc→0. The working medium consists of noninteracting particles in a harmonic potential. Two closed-form solutions of the refrigeration cycle are analyzed, and compared to a numerical optimization scheme, focusing on cooling toward zero temperature. The optimal cycle is characterized by linear relations between the heat extracted from the cold bath, the energy level spacing of the working medium and the temperature. The scaling of the optimal cooling rate is found to be proportional to T c3/2 giving a dynamical interpretation to the third law of thermodynamics.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=65649107804&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1209/0295-5075/85/30008
DO - 10.1209/0295-5075/85/30008
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AN - SCOPUS:65649107804
SN - 0295-5075
VL - 85
JO - Lettere Al Nuovo Cimento
JF - Lettere Al Nuovo Cimento
IS - 3
M1 - 30008
ER -