Internal dissipation and heat leaks in quantum thermodynamic cycles

Luis A. Correa, José P. Palao, and Daniel Alonso
Phys. Rev. E 92, 032136 – Published 28 September 2015

Abstract

The direction of the steady-state heat currents across a generic quantum system connected to multiple baths may be engineered to realize virtually any thermodynamic cycle. In spite of their versatility, such continuous energy-conversion systems are generally unable to operate at maximum efficiency due to non-negligible sources of irreversible entropy production. In this paper we introduce a minimal model of irreversible absorption chiller. We identify and characterize the different mechanisms responsible for its irreversibility, namely heat leaks and internal dissipation, and gauge their relative impact in the overall cooling performance. We also propose reservoir engineering techniques to minimize these detrimental effects. Finally, by looking into a known three-qubit embodiment of the absorption cooling cycle, we illustrate how our simple model may help to pinpoint the different sources of irreversibility naturally arising in more complex practical heat devices.

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  • Received 9 July 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.92.032136

©2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Luis A. Correa*

  • Departament de Física, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, E08193 Bellaterra, Spain

José P. Palao and Daniel Alonso

  • IUdEA Instituto Universitario de Estudios Avanzados, Universidad de La Laguna, 38203, Spain and Departamento de Física, Universidad de La Laguna, 38204, Spain

  • *LuisAlberto.Correa@uab.cat

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Vol. 92, Iss. 3 — September 2015

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