Entropy production and information fluctuations along quantum trajectories

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum entropy production in open systems using stochastic wave functions, revealing quantum fluctuations' role and deriving a quantum correction to the fluctuation theorem.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum definition of entropy contributions along trajectories, highlighting the impact of measurements and quantum fluctuations on entropy flux.

Findings

Continuous environment measurements add non-thermal entropy flux.

Quantum fluctuations cause a correction to the classical fluctuation theorem.

The study provides a quantum framework for entropy in stochastic trajectories.

Abstract

Employing the stochastic wave function method, we study quantum features of stochastic entropy production in nonequilibrium processes of open systems. It is demonstarted that continuous measurements on the environment introduce an additional, non-thermal contribution to the entropy flux, which is shown to be a direct consequence of quantum fluctuations. These features lead to a quantum definition of single trajectory entropy contributions, which accounts for the difference between classical and quantum trajectories and results in a quantum correction to the standard form of the integral fluctuation theorem.