Realization of quantum Maxwell's demon with solid-state spins

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental realization of a quantum Maxwell's demon using solid-state spins, demonstrating how quantum coherence and entanglement influence thermodynamic processes at the microscopic level.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum Maxwell's demon implementation with superposition and entanglement capabilities, advancing quantum thermodynamics research.

Findings

Quantum demon can start in superposition or entangled states.

Quantum coherence and entanglement affect entropy measurements.

Demonstrates controllability of quantum thermodynamic processes.

Abstract

Resolution of the century-long paradox on Maxwell's demon reveals a deep connection between information theory and thermodynamics. Although initially introduced as a thought experiment, Maxwell's demon can now be implemented in several physical systems, leading to intriguing test of information-thermodynamic relations. Here, we report experimental realization of a quantum version of Maxwell's demon using solid state spins where the information acquiring and feedback operations by the demon are achieved through conditional quantum gates. A unique feature of this implementation is that the demon can start in a quantum superposition state or in an entangled state with an ancilla observer. Through quantum state tomography, we measure the entropy in the system, demon, and the ancilla, showing the influence of coherence and entanglement on the result. A quantum implementation of Maxwell's demon adds more controllability to this paradoxical thermal machine and may find applications in quantum thermodynamics involving microscopic systems.