Thermodynamics of a Quantum Subsystem

Abstract

Several prior attempts to formulate the Laws of Thermodynamics for a small region within a larger quantum system have led to inconsistencies and unexplained infinities. The entropy and external work, in particular, require careful analysis when partitioning over the various subsystems. In this work, we analyze the thermodynamics of a quantum subsystem driven quasi-statically by external forces. We show that the thermodynamic functions of a quantum subsystem can be defined dynamically in terms of its local spectrum. The external work is found to be intrinsically nonlocal due to the nonlocal character of the underlying quantum states. This nonlocal quantum work can be harnessed in a "quantum lever" to provide up to 100% amplification of the local work done on a quantum subsystem.

Close to published version, 10+6 pages, 6+1 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2402.18855

References in corpus (29)

• Colloquium. Quantum Fluctuation Relations: Foundations and Applications
• Entropy production as correlation between system and reservoir
• Heat dissipation in atomic-scale junctions
• First and Second Law of Thermodynamics at strong coupling
• Comparison of far-from-equilibrium work relations
• {\it Colloquium:} Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics at Strong Coupling: Quantum and Classical
• Dynamical energy transfer in ac driven quantum systems
• On the nature of heat in strongly coupled open quantum systems
• First and Second Law of Quantum Thermodynamics: A Consistent Derivation Based on a Microscopic Definition of Entropy
• Thermal Probing of Energy Dissipation in Current-Carrying Carbon Nanotubes
• Quantum thermodynamics of the driven resonant level model
• High-resolution spatial mapping of the temperature distribution of a Joule self-heated graphene nanoribbon
• Entropy Production in Open Systems: The Predominant Role of Intra-Environment Correlations
• A Protocol for Quantum Energy Distribution
• Non-Markovian quantum thermodynamics: laws and fluctuation theorems
• Landauer-Büttiker approach to strongly coupled quantum thermodynamics: inside-outside duality of entropy evolution
• Local temperature of an interacting quantum system far from equilibrium
• Energy distribution and local fluctuations in strongly coupled open quantum systems: The extended resonant level model
• Demonstration of Quantum Energy Teleportation on Superconducting Quantum Hardware
• Temperature and voltage measurement in quantum systems far from equilibrium
• Quantum thermodynamics with fast driving and strong coupling via the mesoscopic leads approach
• Green's functions perspective on nonequilibrium thermodynamics of open quantum systems strongly coupled to baths
• Entropy and information flow in quantum systems strongly coupled to baths
• An Interaction-Free Quantum Measurement-Driven Engine
• Local entropy of a nonequilibrium fermion system
• The third law of thermodynamics in open quantum systems
• Work Sum Rule for Open Quantum Systems
• Scanning Tunneling Thermometry
• How to Partition a Quantum Observable