Carnot efficiency and zero-entropy-production rate do not guarantee reversibility of a process

Abstract

Thermodynamic process at zero-entropy-production (EP) rate has been regarded as a reversible process. A process achieving the Carnot efficiency is also considered as a reversible process. Therefore, the condition, `Carnot efficiency at zero-EP rate' could be regarded as a strong equivalent condition for a reversible process. Here, however, we show that the detailed balance can be broken for a zero-EP rate process and even for a process achieving the Carnot efficiency at zero-EP rate in an example of a quantum-dot model. This clearly demonstrates that `Carnot efficiency at zero-EP rate' or just 'zero-EP rate' is not a sufficient condition for a reversible process.

arXiv comment4 pages, 4 figures

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• Exactly solvable two-terminal heat engine with asymmetric Onsager coefficients: Origin of the power-efficiency bound
• Heat current and entropy production rate in local non-Markovian quantum dynamics of global Markovian evolution
• Efficiency at the maximum power of the power law dissipative Carnot-like Heat engines with non-adiabatic dissipation
• Multiparty Spohn's theorem for a combination of local Markovian and non-Markovian quantum dynamics