A Method for Predicting Nonequilibrium Thermal Expansion Using Steepest-Entropy-Ascent Quantum Thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper extends steepest-entropy-ascent quantum thermodynamics (SEAQT) to condensed phases using a pseudo-eigenstructure, enabling prediction of thermal expansion and lattice relaxation in metallic silver during nonequilibrium processes.

Contribution

The authors develop a simplified pseudo-eigenstructure for SEAQT to model thermal expansion in solids, expanding its applicability beyond gases.

Findings

Predicts equilibrium thermal expansion of silver accurately.

Models time-dependent lattice relaxation during nonequilibrium processes.

Demonstrates applicability to irreversible paths between stable states.

Abstract

Steepest-entropy-ascent quantum thermodynamics (SEAQT) is an intriguing approach that describes equilibrium and dynamic processes in a self-consistent way. The applicability is limited to mainly gas phases because of a complex eigenstructure (eigenvalues and eigenfunctions) of solid or liquid phases. In this contribution, the SEAQT modeling is extended to a condensed phase by constructing a simplified eigenstructure (so-called pseudo-eigenstructure), and the applicability is demonstrated by calculating the thermal expansion of metallic silver in three cases: (a) at stable equilibrium, (b) along three irreversible paths from an initial nonequilibrium state to stable equilibrium, and (c) along an irreversible path between two stable equilibrium states. The SEAQT framework with an anharmonic pseudo-eigenstructure predicts reasonable values for equilibrium thermal expansion. For the irreversible cases considered, the SEAQT approach makes it possible to predict the time-dependence of lattice relaxations from the initial state to the final state.