Exploring quasiprobability approach to quantum work in the presence of initial coherence: Advantages of the Margenau-Hill distribution

Abstract

In quantum thermodynamics, the two-projective-measurement (TPM) scheme provides a successful description of stochastic work only in the absence of initial quantum coherence. Extending the quantum work distribution to quasiprobability is a general approach to characterize work fluctuation in the presence of initial coherence. However, among a large number of different definitions, there is no consensus on the most appropriate work quasiprobability. In this article, we list several physically reasonable requirements including the first law of thermodynamics, time-reversal symmetry, positivity of second-order moment, and a support condition for the work distribution. We prove that the only definition that satisfies all these requirements is the Margenau-Hill (MH) quasiprobability of work. In this sense, the MH quasiprobability of work shows its advantages over other definitions. As an illustration, we calculate the MH work distribution of a breathing harmonic oscillator with initial squeezed states and show the convergence to classical work distribution in the classical limit.

15 pages,1 figure

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• Quasiprobability Thermodynamic Uncertainty Relation
• Revising the quantum work fluctuation framework to encompass energy conservation
• Quasi-probability distribution of work in a measurement-based quantum Otto engine
• Quantum Coherence and Anomalous Work Extraction in Qubit Gate Dynamics
• Orthogonalization speed-up from quantum coherence after a sudden quench