Quantum Thermodynamic Cycles and Quantum Heat Engines (II)

TL;DR

This paper develops quantum analogs of classical thermodynamic cycles, analyzing their properties and potential implementations with quantum systems, thereby laying a foundation for quantum heat engines.

Contribution

It introduces quantum versions of thermodynamic cycles like Brayton and Diesel, extending classical concepts into the quantum domain with specific model systems.

Findings

Quantum isobaric processes are formulated.

Quantum Brayton and Diesel cycles are constructed and analyzed.

Potential implementations with single-particle and cavity systems are discussed.

Abstract

We study the quantum mechanical generalization of force or pressure, and then we extend the classical thermodynamic isobaric process to quantum mechanical systems. Based on these efforts, we are able to study the quantum version of thermodynamic cycles that consist of quantum isobaric process, such as quantum Brayton cycle and quantum Diesel cycle. We also consider the implementation of quantum Brayton cycle and quantum Diesel cycle with some model systems, such as single particle in 1D box and single-mode radiation field in a cavity. These studies lay the microscopic (quantum mechanical) foundation for Szilard-Zurek single molecule engine.