Quantum friction: environment engineering perspectives

TL;DR

This paper generalizes a fundamental no-go theorem to quantum systems, showing they cannot be fully frozen or thermalized by translationally invariant dissipation, but proposes methods to engineer quantum friction effects.

Contribution

It introduces a practical approach to create quantum analogs of classical friction using Doppler cooling, expanding dissipative engineering capabilities.

Findings

Proves a generalized no-go theorem for quantum friction.

Proposes a methodology for engineering quantum friction effects.

Enables new dissipative engineering applications with atoms and molecules.

Abstract

We prove a generalization of the Lindblad's fundamental no-go result: A quantum system cannot be completely frozen and, in some cases, even thermalized via translationally invariant dissipation -- the quantum friction. Nevertheless, a practical methodology is proposed for engineering nearly perfect quantum analogs of classical friction within the Doppler cooling framework. These findings pave the way for hallmark dissipative engineering (e.g. nonreciprocal couplings) with atoms and molecules.