Perturbative analysis of quantum fluctuation theorems in a driven open system

TL;DR

This paper provides a perturbative analysis of quantum fluctuation theorems in driven open systems, revealing how energy interactions cause deviations and proposing a consistent work definition in weak coupling regimes.

Contribution

It derives first-order corrections to Crooks and Jarzynski relations without restrictive Hamiltonian assumptions, clarifying the role of energy trapping in quantum fluctuation deviations.

Findings

Deviation mainly caused by energy trapped interaction

Derived first-order correction to fluctuation relations

Proposed a consistent work definition in weak coupling

Abstract

We give a perturbative analysis of Crooks relation and Jarzynski equality in an arbitrary driven quantum system weakly coupled to a heat bath. Invoking no efficient Hamiltonian nor any restriction on the form of the coupling, we derive the first-order correction to Crooks relation and Jarzynski equality in terms of the interacting Hamiltonian. A Crooks type of relation about energy increment in the system and nonvanishing heat expenditure to the heat bath up to the second order of interaction would be given by the way. Our results tell us that deviation of the quantum fluctuation relations is mainly caused by energy trapped interaction rather than the heat flow to (or from) heat bath. We also show a way of defining work in weak coupling regime which is consistent to the work definition in closed systems and thus deepen our understanding of work in quantum realm.