A quantum Otto engine with finite heat baths: energy, correlations, and degradation

TL;DR

This paper investigates a quantum Otto engine with finite heat baths, analyzing its thermodynamics, correlations, and performance degradation over multiple cycles using Gaussian quantum mechanics.

Contribution

It provides a detailed simulation of the engine's dynamics without approximations, revealing how finite baths affect efficiency, power, and correlations.

Findings

Engine operates near maximal efficiency with multiple cycles for large baths.

Correlations between system and baths increase and relate to performance degradation.

Performance deteriorates after several cycles due to bath perturbations.

Abstract

We study a driven harmonic oscillator operating an Otto cycle between two thermal baths of finite size. By making extensive use of the tools of Gaussian quantum mechanics, we directly simulate the dynamics of the engine as a whole, without the need to make any approximations. This allows us to understand the non-equilibrium thermodynamics of the engine not only from the perspective of the working medium, but also as it is seen from the thermal baths' standpoint. For sufficiently large baths, our engine is capable of running a number of ideal cycles, delivering finite power while operating very close to maximal efficiency. Thereafter, having traversed the baths, the perturbations created by the interaction abruptly deteriorate the engine's performance. We additionally study the correlations generated in the system, and relate the buildup of working medium-baths and bath-bath correlations to the degradation of the engine's performance over the course of many cycles.