Thermodynamics of trajectories of a quantum harmonic oscillator coupled to $N$ baths

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new phase-space quantum optics approach to analyze the thermodynamics of quantum harmonic oscillators coupled to multiple baths, revealing quantum effects on work exchange and controllable emission statistics.

Contribution

It develops a novel large-deviation theory method for quantum trajectories, enabling analytical insights into driven systems and quantum suppression effects.

Findings

Quantum suppression reduces work exchange at low temperatures.

Method provides analytical results for driven harmonic oscillators.

Emission statistics can be controlled via driving forces.

Abstract

We undertake a thorough analysis of the thermodynamics of the trajectories followed by a quantum harmonic oscillator coupled to $N$ dissipative baths by using a new approach to large-deviation theory inspired by phase-space quantum optics. As an illustrative example, we study the archetypal case of a harmonic oscillator coupled to two thermal baths, allowing for a comparison with the analogous classical result. In the low-temperature limit, we find a significant quantum suppression in the rate of work exchanged between the system and each bath. We further show how the presented method is capable of giving analytical results even for the case of a driven harmonic oscillator. Based on that result, we analyse the laser cooling of the motion of a trapped ion or optomechanical system, illustrating how the emission statistics can be controllably altered by the driving force.