The second laws of quantum thermodynamics
University College London · University of Gdańsk · +2 more institutions
Abstract
The second law of thermodynamics places constraints on state transformations. It applies to systems composed of many particles, however, we are seeing that one can formulate laws of thermodynamics when only a small number of particles are interacting with a heat bath. Is there a second law of thermodynamics in this regime? Here, we find that for processes which are approximately cyclic, the second law for microscopic systems takes on a different form compared to the macroscopic scale, imposing not just one constraint on state transformations, but an entire family of constraints. We find a family of free energies which generalize the traditional one, and show that they can never increase. The ordinary second…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 59.33
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 50
Authors
5- FGFernando G. S. L. BrandãoCorresponding
University College London
- MHMichał Horodecki
University of Gdańsk
- NHNelly H. Y. Ng
Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
- JOJonathan Oppenheim
Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, University College London
- SWStephanie Wehner
Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore
Topics & keywords
- Second law of thermodynamics
- Physics
- Work (physics)
- Statistical physics
- Constraint (computer-aided design)
- Laws of thermodynamics
- State (computer science)
- Quantum
- Peace, Justice and strong institutions