Autonomous quantum thermal machine for generating steady-state entanglement

TL;DR

This paper presents an autonomous quantum thermal machine that generates steady-state entanglement between two qubits using only thermal baths at different temperatures, without external control, with potential implementations in superconducting and semiconductor systems.

Contribution

It introduces a simple, autonomous quantum thermal machine capable of producing steady-state entanglement solely through incoherent thermal interactions.

Findings

Steady-state entanglement is achievable far from thermal equilibrium.

The proposed system can be implemented with superconducting flux qubits.

Semiconductor double quantum dots are also viable implementations.

Abstract

We discuss a simple quantum thermal machine for the generation of steady-state entanglement between two interacting qubits. The machine is autonomous in the sense that it uses only incoherent interactions with thermal baths, but no source of coherence or external control. By weakly coupling the qubits to thermal baths at different temperatures, inducing a heat current through the system, steady-state entanglement is generated far from thermal equilibrium. Finally, we discuss two possible implementations, using superconducting flux qubits or a semiconductor double quantum dot. Experimental prospects for steady-state entanglement are promising in both systems.