TY - JOUR
T1 - Three-level quantum amplifier as a heat engine
T2 - A study in finite-time thermodynamics
AU - Geva, Eitan
AU - Kosloff, Ronnie
PY - 1994
Y1 - 1994
N2 - The finite-rate performance of a quantum heat engine, constructed from a three-level amplifier, is analyzed. Consistent definitions of thermodynamical quantities in terms of quantum observables are postulated. The performance is analyzed in steady state, where the operation of the amplifier only influences the surroundings. Quantum master equations describe the irreversible dynamics induced by the coupling of the working medium to the reservoirs. It is shown that the standard assumption of field-independent dissipation is inconcistent with thermodynamics. Field-dependent relaxation equations, based upon the semigroup approach, and consistent with thermodynamics, are formulated. These equations are valid if the time scale of the external field is slow compared to that associated with the bath fluctuations. The steady-state values of the thermodynamical quantities are evaluated. The power is found to have maxima as a function of important controls, such as the field amplitude, frequency, and the coupling with the baths. The existence and locations of these maxima differ from those obtained in the standard treatment, where the dissipation is field independent. The irreversible nature of engine operation is due to the finite rate of heat transfer and a genuine "quantum-friction" loss term due to dephasing.
AB - The finite-rate performance of a quantum heat engine, constructed from a three-level amplifier, is analyzed. Consistent definitions of thermodynamical quantities in terms of quantum observables are postulated. The performance is analyzed in steady state, where the operation of the amplifier only influences the surroundings. Quantum master equations describe the irreversible dynamics induced by the coupling of the working medium to the reservoirs. It is shown that the standard assumption of field-independent dissipation is inconcistent with thermodynamics. Field-dependent relaxation equations, based upon the semigroup approach, and consistent with thermodynamics, are formulated. These equations are valid if the time scale of the external field is slow compared to that associated with the bath fluctuations. The steady-state values of the thermodynamical quantities are evaluated. The power is found to have maxima as a function of important controls, such as the field amplitude, frequency, and the coupling with the baths. The existence and locations of these maxima differ from those obtained in the standard treatment, where the dissipation is field independent. The irreversible nature of engine operation is due to the finite rate of heat transfer and a genuine "quantum-friction" loss term due to dephasing.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0001587535&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevE.49.3903
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevE.49.3903
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AN - SCOPUS:0001587535
SN - 1063-651X
VL - 49
SP - 3903
EP - 3918
JO - Physical Review E
JF - Physical Review E
IS - 5
ER -