Quantum thermodynamics of the driven resonant level model

TL;DR

This paper develops a thermodynamic framework for a driven resonant level model, addressing strong coupling and dynamic driving, and ensuring consistency with fundamental thermodynamic laws and stochastic thermodynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a consistent thermodynamic theory for the driven resonant level model that accounts for strong coupling and external driving, extending previous weak coupling approaches.

Findings

Thermodynamic functions satisfy the first and second laws with positive entropy production.

The theory correctly reproduces the weak coupling limit of stochastic thermodynamics.

The framework connects thermodynamic forces to external driving forces.

Abstract

We present a consistent thermodynamic theory for the resonant level model in the wide band limit, whose level energy is driven slowly by an external force. The problem of defining 'system' and 'bath' in the strong coupling regime is circumvented by considering as the 'system' everything that is influenced by the externally driven level. The thermodynamic functions that are obtained to first order beyond the quasistatic limit fulfill the first and second law with a positive entropy production, successfully connect to the forces experienced by the external driving, and reproduce the correct weak coupling limit of stochastic thermodynamics.