Universality of efficiency at maximum power: Macroscopic manifestation of microscopic constraints

TL;DR

This paper explores how microscopic symmetries influence the universal efficiency at maximum power in thermodynamic systems, deriving conditions for reversible operation at the macroscopic level.

Contribution

It introduces a general framework linking microscopic symmetries to macroscopic efficiency limits and identifies conditions for reversible operation in thermodynamic devices.

Findings

Successive symmetries affect efficiency at maximum power.

Derived a condition for reversible operation.

Unified microscopic constraints with macroscopic efficiency behavior.

Abstract

Universal properties of efficiency at maximum power are investigated in a general setting. In particular, it is demonstrated how successive symmetries placed upon the dynamics manifest themselves at the macroscopic level. A general condition is derived for which thermodynamic devices are able to attain a reversible operation.