Power-efficiency-dissipation relations in linear thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper derives fundamental relations linking power, efficiency, and dissipation in linear thermodynamics, highlighting symmetry effects and illustrating with practical examples.

Contribution

It introduces general relations between key thermodynamic regimes and explores symmetry effects in the Onsager matrix, supported by illustrative examples.

Findings

Relations between maximum power, efficiency, and dissipation regimes derived.

Symmetry of Onsager matrix simplifies the relations.

Illustrations on driven systems and magnetic field devices.

Abstract

We derive general relations between maximum power, maximum efficiency, and minimum dissipation regimes from linear irreversible thermodynamics. The relations simplify further in the presence of a particular symmetry of the Onsager matrix, which can be derived from detailed balance. The results are illustrated on a periodically driven system and a three terminal device subject to an external magnetic field.