Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1201.0688 · Physical Review E

Role of the superposition principle for enhancing the efficiency of the quantum-mechanical Carnot engine

Sumiyoshi Abe, Shinji Okuyama

Published Jan 3, 2012• 29 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The role of the superposition principle is discussed for the quantum-mechanical Carnot engine introduced by Bender, Brody, and Meister [J. Phys. A 33, 4427 (2000)]. It is shown that the efficiency of the engine can be enhanced by the superposition of quantum states. A finite-time process is also discussed and the condition of the maximum power output is presented. Interestingly, the efficiency at the maximum power is lower than that without superposition.

DOI
10.1103/physreve.85.011104

Related papers

Effects of superpositions of quantum states on quantum isoenergetic cycles: Efficiency and maximum power output

Xiangyu Niu, X. L. Huang, Y. F. Shang +1 more

Superposition principle plays a crucial role in quantum mechanics, thus its effects on thermodynamics is an interesting topic. Here, the effects of superpositions of quantum states on isoenergetic cycle are studied. We find superposition can improve the heat engine efficiency and release the positive work condition in general case. In the finite time process, we find the efficiency at maximum power output in superposition case is lower than the nonsuperposition case. This efficiency depends on one index of the energy spectrum of the working substance. This result does not mean the superposition discourages the heat engine performance. For fixed efficiency or fixed power, the superposition improves the power or efficiency respectively. These results show how quantum mechanical properties affect the thermodynamical cycle.

International Journal of Modern Physics B•Apr 15, 2015•7 citations

Maximum-power quantum-mechanical Carnot engine

Sumiyoshi Abe

In their work [J. Phys. A 33, 4427 (2000)], Bender, Brody, and Meister have shown by employing a two-state model of a particle confined in the one-dimensional infinite potential well that it is possible to construct a quantum-mechanical analog of the Carnot engine through changes of both the width of the well and the quantum state in a specific manner. Here, a discussion is developed about realizing the maximum power of such an engine, where the width of the well moves at low but finite speed. The efficiency of the engine at the maximum power output is found to be universal independently of any of the parameters contained in the model.

arXiv:1012.5583•Physical Review E•Apr 19, 2011•91 citations

Efficiency at maximum power of quantum-mechanical Carnot engine enhanced by energy quantization

Shou-Bao Zhu, Guangqian Jiao, Jian-Hui Wang

In an adiabatic process, the change in energies of select states may be inhomogenously scaled due to energy quantization. To illustrate this, we introduce a [Formula: see text] barrier turning up (turning down) in an adiabatic expansion (compression). We consider a quantum-mechanical Carnot engine employing a single particle confined in an infinite potential, assuming only the lowest two energy levels to be occupied. This cyclic engine model consists of two isoenergetic strokes where the system is alternatively coupled to two energy baths, and two adiabatic processes where the potential is adiabatically deformed with turning up or down a [Formula: see text] barrier. Having obtained the work output and efficiency, we analyze the efficiency at maximum power under the assumption that the potential moves at a very slow speed. We show that the efficiency at maximum power can be enhanced by energy quantization.

Modern Physics Letters B•Apr 13, 2021•2 citations

Efficiency at Maximum Power of a Carnot Quantum Information Engine

Paul Fadler, Alexander Friedenberger, Eric Lutz

Optimizing the performance of thermal machines is an essential task of thermodynamics. We here consider the optimization of information engines that convert information about the state of a system into work. We concretely introduce a generalized finite-time Carnot cycle for a quantum information engine and optimize its power output in the regime of low dissipation. We derive a general formula for its efficiency at maximum power valid for arbitrary working media. We further investigate the optimal performance of a qubit information engine subjected to weak energy measurements.

arXiv:2301.13560•Physical Review Letters•Jun 16, 2023•18 citations

Efficiency at maximum power output of quantum heat engines under finite-time operation

Jianhui Wang, Jizhou He, Zhaoqi Wu

We study the efficiency at maximum power, ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{m}$, of irreversible quantum Carnot engines (QCEs) that perform finite-time cycles between a hot and a cold reservoir at temperatures ${T}_{h}$ and ${T}_{c}$, respectively. For QCEs in the reversible limit (long cycle period, zero dissipation), ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{m}$ becomes identical to the Carnot efficiency ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}}=1\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c}/{T}_{h}$. For QCE cycles in which nonadiabatic dissipation and the time spent on two adiabats are included, the efficiency ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{m}$ at maximum power output is bounded from above by ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}}/(2\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}})$ and from below by ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}}/2$. In the case of symmetric dissipation, the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{\mathit{CA}}}=1\ensuremath{-}\sqrt{{T}_{c}/{T}_{h}}$ is recovered under the condition that the time allocation between the adiabats and the contact time with the reservoir satisfy a certain relation.

arXiv:1111.5077•Physical Review E•Mar 29, 2012•66 citations

Efficiency of the general quantum-mechanical Carnot engine

Sumiyoshi Abe

A quantum-mechanical analog of the Carnot engine reversibly working at vanishing temperature, shortly termed the quantum-mechanical Carnot engine, is discussed. A general formula for the efficiency of such an engine with an arbitrary confining potential is presented. Its expression is purely given in terms of the structure of the energy spectrum. Dependency of the efficiency on the form of a potential as an analog of the working material in thermodynamics implies nonuniversality of the engine. This may be due to the absence of the second-law-like principle in pure-state quantum mechanics.

arXiv:1208.2222•Aug 10, 2012•0 citations
The role of the superposition principle is discussed for the quantum-mechanical Carnot engine introduced by Bender, Brody, and Meister [J. Phys. A 33, 4427 (2000)]. It is shown that the efficiency of the engine can be enhanced by the superposition of quantum states. A finite-time process is also discussed and the condition of the maximum power output is presented. Interestingly, the efficiency at the maximum power is lower than that without superposition.
Superposition principle plays a crucial role in quantum mechanics, thus its effects on thermodynamics is an interesting topic. Here, the effects of superpositions of quantum states on isoenergetic cycle are studied. We find superposition can improve the heat engine efficiency and release the positive work condition in general case. In the finite time process, we find the efficiency at maximum power output in superposition case is lower than the nonsuperposition case. This efficiency depends on one index of the energy spectrum of the working substance. This result does not mean the superposition discourages the heat engine performance. For fixed efficiency or fixed power, the superposition improves the power or efficiency respectively. These results show how quantum mechanical properties affect the thermodynamical cycle.
In their work [J. Phys. A 33, 4427 (2000)], Bender, Brody, and Meister have shown by employing a two-state model of a particle confined in the one-dimensional infinite potential well that it is possible to construct a quantum-mechanical analog of the Carnot engine through changes of both the width of the well and the quantum state in a specific manner. Here, a discussion is developed about realizing the maximum power of such an engine, where the width of the well moves at low but finite speed. The efficiency of the engine at the maximum power output is found to be universal independently of any of the parameters contained in the model.
In an adiabatic process, the change in energies of select states may be inhomogenously scaled due to energy quantization. To illustrate this, we introduce a [Formula: see text] barrier turning up (turning down) in an adiabatic expansion (compression). We consider a quantum-mechanical Carnot engine employing a single particle confined in an infinite potential, assuming only the lowest two energy levels to be occupied. This cyclic engine model consists of two isoenergetic strokes where the system is alternatively coupled to two energy baths, and two adiabatic processes where the potential is adiabatically deformed with turning up or down a [Formula: see text] barrier. Having obtained the work output and efficiency, we analyze the efficiency at maximum power under the assumption that the potential moves at a very slow speed. We show that the efficiency at maximum power can be enhanced by energy quantization.
Optimizing the performance of thermal machines is an essential task of thermodynamics. We here consider the optimization of information engines that convert information about the state of a system into work. We concretely introduce a generalized finite-time Carnot cycle for a quantum information engine and optimize its power output in the regime of low dissipation. We derive a general formula for its efficiency at maximum power valid for arbitrary working media. We further investigate the optimal performance of a qubit information engine subjected to weak energy measurements.
We study the efficiency at maximum power, ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{m}$, of irreversible quantum Carnot engines (QCEs) that perform finite-time cycles between a hot and a cold reservoir at temperatures Th{T}_{h}Th​ and Tc{T}_{c}Tc​, respectively. For QCEs in the reversible limit (long cycle period, zero dissipation), ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{m}$ becomes identical to the Carnot efficiency ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}}=1\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c}/{T}_{h}$. For QCE cycles in which nonadiabatic dissipation and the time spent on two adiabats are included, the efficiency ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{m}$ at maximum power output is bounded from above by ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}}/(2\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}})$ and from below by ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{C}}/2$. In the case of symmetric dissipation, the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{{}_{\mathit{CA}}}=1\ensuremath{-}\sqrt{{T}_{c}/{T}_{h}}$ is recovered under the condition that the time allocation between the adiabats and the contact time with the reservoir satisfy a certain relation.
A quantum-mechanical analog of the Carnot engine reversibly working at vanishing temperature, shortly termed the quantum-mechanical Carnot engine, is discussed. A general formula for the efficiency of such an engine with an arbitrary confining potential is presented. Its expression is purely given in terms of the structure of the energy spectrum. Dependency of the efficiency on the form of a potential as an analog of the working material in thermodynamics implies nonuniversality of the engine. This may be due to the absence of the second-law-like principle in pure-state quantum mechanics.