Is coherence catalytic?

TL;DR

This paper investigates whether quantum coherence can be used repeatedly without degradation, concluding that coherence cannot be catalytic or used indefinitely, impacting quantum thermodynamics theories.

Contribution

The paper provides a rigorous analysis showing that quantum coherence cannot serve as a catalytic resource, challenging previous claims and implications for quantum thermodynamics.

Findings

Coherence cannot be used catalytically or repeatedly without limit.

The analysis refutes the possibility of indefinite free energy extraction from coherence.

Supports the view that coherence consumption is unavoidable in quantum processes.

Abstract

Quantum coherence, the ability to control the phases in superposition states is a resource, and it is of crucial importance, therefore, to understand how it is consumed in use. It has been suggested that catalytic coherence is possible, that is repeated use of the coherence without degradation or reduction in performance. The claim has particular relevance for quantum thermodynamics because, were it true, it would allow free energy that is locked in coherence to be extracted $\textit{indefinitely}$. We address this issue directly with a careful analysis of the proposal by $\AA{}$berg. We find that coherence $\textit{cannot}$ be used catalytically, or even repeatedly without limit.