Nonequilibrium Quantum Many-Body Rydberg Atom Engine

Federico Carollo, Filippo M. Gambetta, Kay Brandner, Juan P. Garrahan, and Igor Lesanovsky
Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 170602 – Published 30 April 2020
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Abstract

The standard approach to quantum engines is based on equilibrium systems and on thermodynamic transformations between Gibbs states. However, nonequilibrium quantum systems offer enhanced experimental flexibility in the control of their parameters and, if used as engines, a more direct interpretation of the type of work they deliver. Here we introduce an out-of-equilibrium quantum engine inspired by recent experiments with cold atoms. Our system is connected to a single environment and produces mechanical work from many-body interparticle interactions arising between atoms in highly excited Rydberg states. As such, it is not a heat engine but an isothermal one. We perform many-body simulations to show that this system can produce work. The setup we introduce and investigate represents a promising platform for devising new types of microscopic machines and for exploring quantum effects in thermodynamic processes.

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  • Received 13 January 2020
  • Revised 16 March 2020
  • Accepted 14 April 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.124.170602

© 2020 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Statistical Physics & Thermodynamics

Authors & Affiliations

Federico Carollo1,2, Filippo M. Gambetta2, Kay Brandner2,3, Juan P. Garrahan2, and Igor Lesanovsky1,2

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 14, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
  • 2School of Physics and Astronomy and Centre for the Mathematics and Theoretical Physics of Quantum Non-Equilibrium Systems, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kingdom
  • 3Department of Physics, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan

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Issue

Vol. 124, Iss. 17 — 1 May 2020

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