Abstract We developed a model of a quantum Otto engine using two coupled two-level atoms. Based on the platform, we show that frequency detuning and the coupling strength induced by dipole-dipole interactions can lead to decoherence by disrupting coherent energy exchange. We focus on fundamental thermodynamic quantities, including heat absorption, release to heat baths, work done and efficiency. It is noteworthy that the interatomic coupling strength and frequency detuning do not merely affect the shape of the work and the efficiency but ultimately govern its quantitative magnitude. In the field of quantum thermodynamics, we have established an upper bound efficiency that is stricter than the Carnot limit. Moreover, our analysis confirms that quantum coherence enables the system to exceed the efficiency threshold of a classical Otto heat engine. The second law of thermodynamics holds all the while. Our results constitute a step forward in the design of conceptually new quantum thermodynamic devices which take advantage of uniquely quantum resources of quantum coherence.
Abstract We developed a model of a quantum Otto engine using two coupled two-level atoms. Based on the platform, we show that frequency detuning and the coupling strength induced by dipole-dipole interactions can lead to decoherence by disrupting coherent energy exchange. We focus on fundamental thermodynamic quantities, including heat absorption, release to heat baths, work done and efficiency. It is noteworthy that the interatomic coupling strength and frequency detuning do not merely affect the shape of the work and the efficiency but ultimately govern its quantitative magnitude. In the field of quantum thermodynamics, we have established an upper bound efficiency that is stricter than the Carnot limit. Moreover, our analysis confirms that quantum coherence enables the system to exceed the efficiency threshold of a classical Otto heat engine. The second law of thermodynamics holds all the while. Our results constitute a step forward in the design of conceptually new quantum thermodynamic devices which take advantage of uniquely quantum resources of quantum coherence.
We developed a model of a quantum Otto engine using two dipole-coupled two-level atoms. Based on the platform, we focus on fundamental thermodynamic quantities, including heat absorption, release to heat baths, work done, and efficiency. The characteristic of the engine either for the case of identical as well as non-identical two two-level atoms is investigated under the influence of average frequency, frequency detuning, and coupling strength. The conditions for the efficiency to be higher than in the noninteracting case are found. A tighter upper bound for the efficiency is found, which is lower than the Carnot limit. The second law of thermodynamics holds all the while. Our findings represent a step forward in the design of quantum thermodynamic devices, which take advantage of quantum resources.
Quantum heat engines (QHEs) are established by applying the principles of quantum thermodynamics to small-scale systems, which leverage quantum effects to gain certain advantages. In this study, we investigate the quantum Otto cycle by employing the dipole-dipole coupled polar molecules as the working substance of QHE. Here, the molecules are considered to be trapped within an optical lattice and located in an external electric field. We analyze the work output and the efficiency of the quantum Otto heat engine (QOHE) as a function of various physical parameters, including electric field strength, dipole-dipole interaction and temperatures of heat baths. It is found that by adjusting these physical parameters the performance of the QOHE can be optimized effectively. Moreover, we also examine the influences of the entanglement and relative entropy of coherence for the polar molecules in thermal equilibrium states on the QOHE. Our results demonstrate the potential of polar molecules in achieving QHEs.
Abstract This paper presents an analysis of quantum Otto heat engines operating in non-equilibrium. It explores the fundamental thermodynamic principles that govern these engines, focusing on efficiency, work output, and the impact of environmental factors such as thermal gradients, external fields, noise, and decoherence. The study investigates the effects of non-equilibrium conditions on engine performance, highlighting challenges and opportunities in practical realizations. Through numerical simulations, the article examines the power, efficiency, and performance coefficients, revealing trade-offs between these metrics and the influence of temperature differences and internal coupling strength. The results demonstrate that non-equilibrium effects can significantly reduce efficiency compared to ideal scenarios, emphasizing the importance of considering both quantum effects and real-world limitations in the design and optimization of quantum heat engines. This work contributes to the growing body of knowledge in quantum thermodynamics, offering insights for quantum computing, sustainable energy technologies, and thermodynamic cycles at the quantum scale.
The second law of thermodynamics holds that the efficiency of heat engines, classical or quantum, cannot be greater than the universal Carnot efficiency. We discover another bound for the efficiency of a quantum Otto heat engine consisting of a harmonic oscillator. Dynamics of the engine is governed by the Lindblad equation for the density matrix, which is mapped to the Fokker-Planck equation for the quasiprobability distribution. Applying stochastic thermodynamics to the Fokker-Planck equation system, we obtain the ℏ-dependent quantum mechanical bound for the efficiency. It turns out that the bound is tighter than the Carnot efficiency. The engine achieves the bound in the low-temperature limit where quantum effects dominate. Our work demonstrates that quantum nature could suppress the performance of heat engines in terms of efficiency bound, work, and power output.
Abstract We propose a quantum Otto heat engine using a finite-size Dicke-Stark model as the working substance. In the extended coherent state space, the complete energy spectrum and eigenstates are obtained through numerical calculations. Within the infinite-time and finite-time thermodynamics frameworks, we find that the output work, efficiency, and power can be optimized by adjusting the Stark field strength, the qubit–boson coupling strength, stroke times, and number of atoms. Our results reveal that output work and efficiency are maximized near the coupling strength at the superradiant phase transition (SPT). Tuning the Stark field strength modifies the energy level structure and SPT, effectively suppressing entropy generation and quantum friction during nonequilibrium evolution. We also show that asymmetric heat engines—where the two isochoric strokes operate with different Stark field strengths and durations—further improve engine performance. These results may guide future implementations of efficient quantum heat engines.
The simple system of two two-level identical atoms couple to single-mode optical cavity in the resonance case is studied for investigating the thermal entanglement. It is interesting to see that the critical temperature is only dependent on the coefficient of atom-atom dipole-dipole interaction. Based on the mode, we construct and investigate a entangled quantum Otto engine (QOE). Expressions for several important performance parameters such as the heat transferred, the work done in a cycle, and the efficiency of the entangled QOE in zero G are derived in terms of thermal concurrence. Some intriguing features and their qualitative explanations are given. Furthermore, the validity of the second law of thermodynamics is confirmed in the entangled QOE. The results obtained here have general significance and will be helpful to understand deeply the performance of an entangled QOE.