Fundamental limits for cooling of linear quantum refrigerators

Abstract

We study the asymptotic dynamics of arbitrary linear quantum open systems which are periodically driven while coupled with generic bosonic reservoirs. We obtain exact results for the heat flowing into the network, which are valid beyond the usual weak coupling or Markovian approximations. We prove the validity of the dynamical third law of thermodynamics (Nernst unattainability principle), showing that the ultimate limit for cooling is imposed by a fundamental heating mechanism which becomes dominant at low temperatures: the non resonant creation of pairs of excitations in the reservoirs induced by the driving field. This quantum effect, which is missed in the weak coupling approximation, restores the unattainability principle whose validity was recently challenged.

References in corpus (6)

• Single ion heat engine with maximum efficiency at maximum power
• Experimental Test of Quantum Jarzynski Equality with a Trapped Ion System
• Quantum bath refrigeration towards absolute zero: unattainability principle challenged
• Quantum resources for purification and cooling: fundamental limits and opportunities
• New analytic solution for the heat flow through a general harmonic network
• Dynamical Casimir effect and minimal temperature in quantum thermodynamics

Cited by in corpus (10)

• Testing the validity of the local and global GKLS master equations on an exactly solvable model
• Periodic energy transport and entropy production in quantum electronics
• Hybrid quantum thermal machines with dynamical couplings
• General theory for thermal and nonthermal quantum linear engines
• Cooling to absolute zero: The unattainability principle
• Vacuum radiation versus shortcuts to adiabaticity
• Magnetically controlled quantum thermal devices via three nearest-neighbor coupled spin-1/2 systems
• Heat transport and cooling performance in a nanomechanical system with local and non local interactions
• Bending the rules of low-temperature thermometry with periodic driving
• Sustaining a temperature difference