Thermodynamic witness of quantum probing

TL;DR

This paper investigates how quantum probing influences the thermodynamics of an object, revealing that even non-disturbing pre-measurements can alter the object's effective temperature when immersed in an environment.

Contribution

It introduces a thermodynamic perspective as a witness for quantum probing, highlighting effects in equilibrium environments that are not evident in isolated systems.

Findings

Quantum probing can modify the effective temperature of an object.

Probing can induce a quantum isothermal process.

Thermodynamic effects serve as evidence of quantum probing.

Abstract

The thermodynamic influence of quantum probing on an object is studied. Here, quantum probing is understood as a pre-measurement based on a non-demolition interaction, which records some information of the probed object, but does not change its energy state when both the probing apparatus and the probed object are isolated from the environment. It is argued that when the probing apparatus and the probed object are immersed in a same equilibrium environment, the probing can affect the effective temperature of the object or induce a quantum isothermal process for the object to transfer its energy. This thermodynamic feature can be regarded as a witness of the existence of quantum probing even if the quantum probing would not disturb the object if the environment were not present.