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Iranian Journal of Physics Research

A review of quantum thermodynamics

S. Shahidani, A. T. Rezakhani

Published Dec 10, 2019• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Abstract

In this article, we present a brief and elementary review of quantum thermodynamics and its achievements and challenges. This review includes an introduction to some fundamental concepts such as internal energy, heat, work, entropy, entropy production, thermal equilibrium, second law of quantum thermodynamics, relation between thermodynamics and information theory, as well as a discussion of how quantum effects such as entanglement and correlations affect performance of quantum heat engines.

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In this article, we present a brief and elementary review of quantum thermodynamics and its achievements and challenges. This review includes an introduction to some fundamental concepts such as internal energy, heat, work, entropy, entropy production, thermal equilibrium, second law of quantum thermodynamics, relation between thermodynamics and information theory, as well as a discussion of how quantum effects such as entanglement and correlations affect performance of quantum heat engines.
The theory of quantum thermodynamics investigates how the concepts of heat, work, and temperature can be carried over to the quantum realm, where fluctuations and randomness are fundamentally unavoidable. Of particular practical relevance is the investigation of quantum thermal machines: Machines that use the flow of heat in order to perform some useful task. In this lectures series, we give a brief introduction into how the laws of thermodynamics arise from quantum theory and how thermal machines can be described with Markovian quantum master equations. Recent results are illustrated with examples such as a quantum dot heat engine and a qubit entangler.
After a brief historical introduction of quantum thermodynamics, we present its main goal and objectives, from fundamental questions to practical applications in quantum technologies. We then introduce the standard thermodynamic framework for quantum systems, valid in the weak coupling limit and in thermal environments. Extensions to strong coupling and nonthermal baths are briefly mentioned. Then, using this standard thermodynamic framework, we describe the quantum version of the Otto cycle and Carnot cycle for heat-to-work conversion as well as for refrigeration. The analysis of their differences is used to introduce the concept of entropy production at the quantum level, which quantifies irreversibility and is responsible for loss of efficiency. Then, we present a simple description of an autonomous quantum refrigerator, a promising device for qubit re-initialisation in quantum technologies. Finally, we briefly mention some quantum effects in heat engines and refrigerators. We conclude with a perspective on the main goals of quantum thermodynamics.
This paper presents a comprehensive exposition of quantum thermodynamics, aiming to bridge the foundational concepts of classical thermodynamics and quantum mechanics.Beginning with a rigorous overview of classical thermodynamic laws and statistical ensembles, the work transitions into the quantum domain by introducing quantum states, density operators, and von Neumann entropy.Core thermodynamic quantities such as work, heat, energy, and entropy are redefined in the quantum regime, with emphasis on operational frameworks like the twopoint measurement scheme.The study explores the role of quantum resource theories in formulating generalizations of the second law and delves into the intricacies of nonequilibrium thermodynamics through fluctuation theorems, such as the Jarzynski equality and Crooks theorem.Special attention is given to the influence of coherence, entanglement, and measurement backaction, which contribute uniquely to quantum thermodynamic behavior.The treatise concludes with a discussion on quantum heat engines, thermodynamic consistency of quantum master equations, and information-theoretic approaches, establishing quantum thermodynamics as a vital framework for understanding energy and information flow at the quantum scale.
The advantages of quantum effects in several technologies, such as computation and communication, have already been well appreciated. Some devices,such as quantum computers and communication links,exhibiting superiority to their classical counterparts,have been demonstrated. The close relationship between information and energy motivates us to explore if similar quantum benefits can be found in energy technologies. Investigation of performance limits for a broader class of information-energy machines is the subject of the rapidly emerging field of quantum thermodynamics. Extension of classical thermodynamical laws to the quantum realm is far from trivial. This short review presents some of the recent efforts in this fundamental direction. It focuses on quantum heat engines and their efficiency bounds when harnessing energy from nonthermal resources, specifically those containing quantum coherence and correlations.
The theory of quantum thermodynamics investigates how the concepts of heat, work, and temperature can be carried over to the quantum realm, where fluctuations and randomness are fundamentally unavoidable. These lecture notes provide an introduction to the thermodynamics of small quantum systems. It is illustrated how the laws of thermodynamics emerge from quantum theory and how open quantum systems can be modeled by Markovian master equations. Quantum systems that are designed to perform a certain task, such as cooling or generating entanglement are considered. Finally, the effect of fluctuations on the thermodynamic description is discussed.