Periodic energy transport and entropy production in quantum electronics

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in understanding how energy and heat are transported in quantum electronic systems under dynamic conditions, highlighting the intersection of quantum thermodynamics and nanoelectronics.

Contribution

It provides a thermodynamical perspective on nonstationary heat and work in quantum systems, emphasizing open questions and recent developments.

Findings

Insights into energy and heat flow in driven quantum conductors

Identification of open questions in quantum thermodynamics

Connection between quantum heat transport and practical nanoelectronics applications

Abstract

The problem of time-dependent particle transport in quantum conductors is nowadays a well established topic. In contrast, the way in which energy and heat flow in mesoscopic systems subjected to dynamical drivings is a relatively new subject that cross-fertilize both fundamental developments of quantum thermodynamics and practical applications in nanoelectronics and quantum information. In this short review, we discuss from a thermodynamical perspective recent investigations on nonstationary heat and work generated in quantum systems, emphasizing open questions and unsolved issues.