Catalytic Coherence

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that quantum coherence can be used repeatedly as a catalytic resource without degradation, enabling new possibilities in quantum thermodynamics and energy manipulation.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of coherence as a catalytic resource in quantum systems, showing it can be reused without loss, unlike other quantum resources.

Findings

Coherence can be used repeatedly without degradation.

Catalytic coherence enables unlocking latent energy in quantum systems.

Implications for quantum thermodynamics and energy extraction.

Abstract

Due to conservation of energy we cannot directly turn a quantum system with a definite energy into a superposition of different energies. However, if we have access to an additional resource in terms of a system with a high degree of coherence, as for standard models of laser light, we can overcome this limitation. The question is to what extent coherence gets degraded when utilized. Here it is shown that coherence can be turned into a catalyst, meaning that we can use it repeatedly without ever diminishing its power to enable coherent operations. This finding stands in contrast to the degradation of other quantum resources, and has direct consequences for quantum thermodynamics, as it shows that latent energy that may be locked into superpositions of energy eigenstates can be released catalytically.