Work statistics, irreversible heat and correlations build-up in joining two spin chains

TL;DR

This paper explores how quantum many-body effects influence the thermodynamic cost, specifically irreversible work, when connecting two independent quantum spin chains, linking spectral properties to energetic costs.

Contribution

It provides a physical interpretation of irreversible work in quantum spin chains, highlighting the role of criticality and factorisation fields in the bonding process.

Findings

Irreversible work is affected by quantum criticality and factorisation fields.

Spectral properties of the system determine the thermodynamic cost.

Quantum many-body effects influence the energy cost of establishing links.

Abstract

We investigate the influences of quantum many-body effects, such as criticality and the existence of factorisation fields, in the thermodynamic cost of establishing a bonding link between two independent quantum spin chains. We provide a physical interpretation of the behavior of irreversible work spent in such process by linking the phenomenology of such quantities to the properties of the spectrum of the system