Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Performance of autonomous quantum thermal machines: Hilbert space dimension as a thermodynamical resource

Publication date2016
Abstract

Multilevel autonomous quantum thermal machines are discussed. In particular, we explore the relationship between the size of the machine (captured by Hilbert space dimension) and the performance of the machine. Using the concepts of virtual qubits and virtual temperatures, we show that higher dimensional machines can outperform smaller ones. For instance, by considering refrigerators with more levels, lower temperatures can be achieved, as well as higher power. We discuss the optimal design for refrigerators of a given dimension. As a consequence we obtain a statement of the third law in terms of Hilbert space dimension: Reaching absolute zero temperature requires infinite dimension. These results demonstrate that Hilbert space dimension should be considered a thermodynamic resource.

Research groups
Citation (ISO format)
SILVA, Ralph et al. Performance of autonomous quantum thermal machines: Hilbert space dimension as a thermodynamical resource. In: Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics, 2016, vol. 94, n° 3. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.94.032120
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Article (Accepted version)
accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
Journal ISSN1539-3755
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Technical informations

Creation20/12/2016 16:31:00
First validation20/12/2016 16:31:00
Update26/11/2024 13:03:07
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