The Ericsson Nano-Brownian Engine in the Quantum Domain

TL;DR

This paper investigates a quantum nano-engine based on an electron in a magnetic field, analyzing its efficiency and dynamics using both exact and Langevin approaches, revealing new insights into quantum thermodynamics at the nanoscale.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum Ericsson motor model operating in the quantum domain and compares two analytical methods to study its efficiency and dynamics.

Findings

Both methods yield equivalent efficiency expressions in equilibrium.

The Langevin approach enables analysis of time-dependent properties.

The study advances understanding of quantum heat engines at the nanoscale.

Abstract

We examine here a hitherto unchartered Ericsson motor, operating in the quantum domain. The engine is a nanoscopic system of an electron trapped in a two-dimensional parabolic well and further subjected to an external magnetic field in the third direction. The quantum-coherent cyclotron motion of the electron is de-cohered due to strong interaction with a dissipative quantum heat bath.The calculation employs two different approaches - exact functional integral representation of the partition function and quantum Langevin equations for the operators of the system. Though in equilibrium, both the approaches yield equivalent expressions for the efficiency, the Langevin method opens up further avenues for investigating time dependent properties of the nano motor.