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

Physics

Quantum Coherence Reduces Friction in Quantum Heat Engines

Katherine Wright

Published Nov 4, 2021• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Predictions indicate that introducing quantum coherence into quantum heat engines can significantly reduce the friction in these systems.
DOI
10.1103/physics.14.s133

Related papers

Friction due to inhomogeneous driving of coupled spins in a quantum heat engine

GEORGE M. THOMAS, Ramandeep S. Johal

arXiv:1310.0276•The European Physical Journal B•Jul 1, 2014•42 citations

Powering an Engine with Quantum Coherence

Janet Anders

Experiments demonstrate a quantum-coherence-induced power increase for quantum heat engines

Physics•Mar 20, 2019•0 citations

The Influences of Quantum Coherence on the Positive Work and the Efficiency of Quantum Heat Engine with Working Substance of Two-Qubit Heisenberg XXX Model

Hu-Ping Peng, Mao-Fa Fang, Min Yu +1 more

International Journal of Theoretical Physics•Mar 7, 2018•8 citations

Superconducting-like Heat Current: Effective Cancellation of Current-Dissipation Trade-Off by Quantum Coherence

Hiroyasu Tajima, Ken Funo

Quantum coherence is a useful resource for increasing the speed and decreasing the irreversibility of quantum dynamics. Because of this feature, coherence is used to enhance the performance of various quantum information processing devices beyond the limitations set by classical mechanics. However, when we consider thermodynamic processes, such as energy conversion in nanoscale devices, it is still unclear whether coherence provides similar advantages. Here we establish a universal framework, clarifying how coherence affects the speed and irreversibility in thermodynamic processes described by the Lindblad master equation, and give general rules for when coherence enhances or reduces the performance of thermodynamic devices. Our results show that a proper use of coherence enhances the heat current without increasing dissipation; i.e., coherence can reduce friction. In particular, if the amount of coherence is large enough, this friction becomes virtually zero, realizing a superconducting-like "dissipation-less" heat current. Since our framework clarifies a general relation among coherence, energy flow, and dissipation, it can be applied to many branches of science from quantum information theory to biology. As an application to energy science, we construct a quantum heat engine cycle that exceeds the power-efficiency trade-off bound on classical engines and effectively attains the Carnot efficiency with finite power in fast cycles.

arXiv:2004.13412•Physical Review Letters•Nov 4, 2021•65 citations

Efficiency at maximum power of a laser quantum heat engine enhanced by noise-induced coherence

Konstantin E. Dorfman, Dazhi Xu, Jianshu Cao

Quantum coherence has been demonstrated in various systems including organic solar cells and solid state devices. In this article, we report the lower and upper bounds for the performance of quantum heat engines determined by the efficiency at maximum power. Our prediction based on the canonical three-level Scovil and Schulz-Dubois maser model strongly depends on the ratio of system-bath couplings for the hot and cold baths and recovers the theoretical bounds established previously for the Carnot engine. Further, introducing a fourth level to the maser model can enhance the maximal power and its efficiency, thus demonstrating the importance of quantum coherence in the thermodynamics and operation of the heat engines beyond the classical limit.

arXiv:1803.11314•Physical review. E•Apr 13, 2018•89 citations

The impact of coherence in non-equilibrium reservoirs on the functionality and performance of quantum thermal machines

Zhi-Chu Chen, Qingyu Cai, Ji-Yong Fu +1 more

Chinese Journal of Physics•Dec 27, 2025•0 citations
Quantum coherence is a useful resource for increasing the speed and decreasing the irreversibility of quantum dynamics. Because of this feature, coherence is used to enhance the performance of various quantum information processing devices beyond the limitations set by classical mechanics. However, when we consider thermodynamic processes, such as energy conversion in nanoscale devices, it is still unclear whether coherence provides similar advantages. Here we establish a universal framework, clarifying how coherence affects the speed and irreversibility in thermodynamic processes described by the Lindblad master equation, and give general rules for when coherence enhances or reduces the performance of thermodynamic devices. Our results show that a proper use of coherence enhances the heat current without increasing dissipation; i.e., coherence can reduce friction. In particular, if the amount of coherence is large enough, this friction becomes virtually zero, realizing a superconducting-like "dissipation-less" heat current. Since our framework clarifies a general relation among coherence, energy flow, and dissipation, it can be applied to many branches of science from quantum information theory to biology. As an application to energy science, we construct a quantum heat engine cycle that exceeds the power-efficiency trade-off bound on classical engines and effectively attains the Carnot efficiency with finite power in fast cycles.
Quantum coherence has been demonstrated in various systems including organic solar cells and solid state devices. In this article, we report the lower and upper bounds for the performance of quantum heat engines determined by the efficiency at maximum power. Our prediction based on the canonical three-level Scovil and Schulz-Dubois maser model strongly depends on the ratio of system-bath couplings for the hot and cold baths and recovers the theoretical bounds established previously for the Carnot engine. Further, introducing a fourth level to the maser model can enhance the maximal power and its efficiency, thus demonstrating the importance of quantum coherence in the thermodynamics and operation of the heat engines beyond the classical limit.