Role of quantum correlations in light-matter quantum heat engines

G. Alvarado Barrios, F. Albarrán-Arriagada, F. A. Cárdenas-López, G. Romero, and J. C. Retamal
Phys. Rev. A 96, 052119 – Published 16 November 2017

Abstract

We study a quantum Otto engine embedding a working substance composed of a two-level system interacting with a harmonic mode. The physical properties of the substance are described by a generalized quantum Rabi model arising in superconducting circuit realizations. We show that light-matter quantum correlation reduction during the hot bath stage and adiabatic stages act as an indicator for enhanced work extraction and efficiency, respectively. Also, we demonstrate that the anharmonic spectrum of the working substance has a direct impact on the transition from heat engine into refrigerator as the light-matter coupling is increased. These results shed light on the search for optimal conditions in the performance of quantum heat engines.

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  • Received 7 August 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.96.052119

©2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & OpticalStatistical Physics & Thermodynamics

Authors & Affiliations

G. Alvarado Barrios1,*, F. Albarrán-Arriagada1, F. A. Cárdenas-López1,2, G. Romero1, and J. C. Retamal1,2,†

  • 1Departamento de Física, Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH), Avenida Ecuador 3493, 9170124, Santiago, Chile
  • 2Center for the Development of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 9170124, Estación Central, Santiago, Chile

  • *gabriel.alvarado@usach.cl
  • juan.retamal@usach.cl

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Vol. 96, Iss. 5 — November 2017

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