The Wigner Entropy Production Rate

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new theoretical framework to quantify irreversibility and entropy production in quantum systems interacting with non-equilibrium environments, extending beyond traditional equilibrium-based methods.

Contribution

The authors develop a novel theory of entropy production applicable to quantum systems coupled to arbitrary non-equilibrium reservoirs, addressing a key gap in current quantum thermodynamics.

Findings

Framework effectively characterizes irreversibility in non-equilibrium quantum processes

Applicable to a variety of physically relevant quantum systems

Highlights differences from equilibrium-based entropy production measures

Abstract

The characterization of irreversibility in general quantum processes is an open problem of increasing techno- logical relevance. Yet, the tools currently available to this aim are mostly limited to the assessment of dynamics induced by equilibrium environments, a situation that often does not match the reality of experiments at the microscopic and mesoscopic scale. We propose a theory of irreversible entropy production that is suited for quantum systems exposed to general, non-equilibrium reservoirs. We illustrate our framework by addressing a set of physically relevant situations that clarify both the features and the potential of our proposal.