Quantum optomechanical piston engines powered by heat

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum optomechanical systems that convert heat from a temperature gradient into sustained mechanical oscillations, serving as nanoscale quantum piston engines with potential thermodynamic and technological applications.

Contribution

It introduces two models of quantum optomechanical piston engines driven by heat, highlighting their thermodynamic behavior and experimental relevance.

Findings

Demonstration of self-sustained mechanical oscillations driven by heat

Quantum models as nanoscale analogues of classical piston engines

Potential for testing quantum thermodynamics principles

Abstract

We study two different models of optomechanical systems where a temperature gradient between two radiation baths is exploited for inducing self-sustained coherent oscillations of a mechanical resonator. Viewed from a thermodynamic perspective, such systems represent quantum instances of self-contained thermal machines converting heat into a periodic mechanical motion and thus they can be interpreted as nano-scale analogues of macroscopic piston engines. Our models are potentially suitable for testing fundamental aspects of quantum thermodynamics in the laboratory and for applications in energy efficient nanotechnology.