Quantum Thermodynamics: A Nonequilibrium Green's Functions Approach

TL;DR

This paper develops a nonequilibrium quantum thermodynamics framework using Green's functions for open systems strongly coupled to reservoirs, deriving thermodynamic laws and connecting to stochastic thermodynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a nonequilibrium Green's functions approach to quantum thermodynamics, extending the theory beyond quasistatic limits and strong coupling regimes.

Findings

Derived the four laws of thermodynamics within the NEGF framework

Characterized reversible transformations in quantum systems

Connected strong coupling thermodynamics to stochastic thermodynamics

Abstract

We establish the foundations of a nonequilibrium theory of quantum thermodynamics for noninteracting open quantum systems strongly coupled to their reservoirs within the framework of the nonequilibrium Green functions (NEGF). The energy of the system and its coupling to the reservoirs are controlled by a slow external time-dependent force treated to first order beyond the quasistatic limit. We derive the four basic laws of thermodynamics and characterize reversible transformations. Stochastic thermodynamics is recovered in the weak coupling limit.