A universal approach to quantum thermodynamics in the strong coupling regime

TL;DR

This paper introduces a general protocol for analyzing quantum thermodynamics in strongly coupled systems under external modulation, establishing thermodynamic laws and applicable to complex interactions like Kondo resonances.

Contribution

The authors develop a universal, perturbative approach to quantum thermodynamics in the strong coupling regime, accommodating electron interactions and providing a framework for thermodynamic analysis under external driving.

Findings

Thermodynamic laws are valid under slow driving.

Entropy production rate is positive and linked to dissipated work.

Method reproduces known results and extends to complex interactions.

Abstract

We present a protocol for the study of the dynamics and thermodynamics of quantum systems strongly coupled to a bath and subject to an external modulation. Our protocol quantifies the evolution of the system-bath composite by expanding the full density matrix as a series in the powers of the modulation rate, from which the functional form of work, heat and entropy rates can be obtained. Under slow driving, thermodynamic laws are established. The entropy production rate is positive and is found to be related to the excess work dissipated by friction, at least up to second order in the driving speed. As an example of the present methodology, we reproduce the results for the quantum thermodynamics of the driven resonance level model. We also emphasize that our formalism is quite general and allows for electron-electron interactions, which can give rise to exotic Kondo resonances appearing in thermodynamic quantities.