Driven Spin Systems as Quantum Thermodynamic Machines: Fundamental Limits

Abstract

We show that coupled two level systems like qubits studied in quantum information can be used as a thermodynamic machine. At least three qubits or spins are necessary and arranged in a chain. The system is interfaced between two split baths and the working spin in the middle is externally driven. The machine performs Carnot-type cycles and is able to work as heat pump or engine depending on the temperature difference of the baths $\Delta T$ and the energy differences in the spin system $\Delta E$. It can be shown that the efficiency is a function of $\Delta T$ and $\Delta E$.

9 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E

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Cited by in corpus (5)

• Charge and spin transport in strongly correlated one-dimensional quantum systems driven far from equilibrium
• Local effective dynamics of quantum systems: A generalized approach to work and heat
• Stochastic pumping of heat: Approaching the Carnot efficiency
• A Cyclic Cooling Algorithm
• Quantum thermodynamic processes: A control theory for machine cycles