Abstract

Abstract: I will give an introduction to recent ideas in quantum (stochastic) thermodynamics with a focus on identifying quantum signatures. First, we will unravel the fundamental differences between irreversibility in the quantum and classical regime. I will begin with recalling how to optimally use quantum coherences as “fuel” to convert heat into work. We will then discuss how non-optimal protocols give rise to two types of irreversibility, and how this irreversibility manifests itself in energetic exchanges that differ from those in the classical regime [1]. Second, I will discuss how the work distribution of time-varying quantum systems violates the corresponding classical fluctuation-dissipation relation for slowly driven processes [2]. This result implies that quantum fluctuations prohibit finding slow protocols that minimize both, dissipation and fluctuations simultaneously. A geometric framework is proposed to find optimal trade-offs.

[1] Energetic footprints of irreversibility in the quantum regime, H. Mohammady, A. Auffeves, J. Anders, Comm. Phys. 3, 1 (2020). [2] Work Fluctuations in Slow Processes: Quantum Signatures and Optimal Control, H. Miller, M. Scandi, J. Anders, M. Perarnau-Llobet, Phys. Rev. Lett. 123, 230603 (2019).

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98016675669