Optimal control of many-body non-equilibrium quantum thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how quantum optimal control techniques can minimize irreversibility in non-equilibrium quantum many-body systems, enhancing work extraction and process efficiency in finite-time transformations.

Contribution

It introduces a method to control irreversibility in quantum Ising models using optimal quenches, advancing the understanding of non-equilibrium quantum thermodynamics.

Findings

Optimal control reduces irreversibility in quantum transformations.

Work can be efficiently generated through controlled quenches.

Enhanced process efficiency in finite-time quantum thermodynamics.

Abstract

We demonstrate the effectiveness of quantum optimal control techniques in harnessing irreversibility generated by non-equilibrium processes, implemented in unitarily evolving quantum many-body systems. We address the dynamics of a finite-size quantum Ising model subjected to finite-time transformations, which unavoidably generate irreversibility. We show that work can be generated through such transformation by means of optimal controlled quenches, while quenching the degree of irreversibility to very low values, thus boosting the efficiency of the process and paving the way to a fully controllable non-equilibrium thermodynamics of quantum processes.