Bosons Outperform Fermions -- The Thermodynamic Advantage of Symmetry

TL;DR

This paper investigates how wave function symmetry in a quantum Otto engine affects its thermodynamic performance, showing bosons outperform fermions and highlighting the role of symmetry as a resource.

Contribution

It demonstrates that bosonic symmetry enhances engine performance and broadens operational regimes compared to fermionic systems in quantum thermodynamics.

Findings

Bosonic systems outperform fermionic systems in engine efficiency.

Bosonic systems operate over a wider parameter space as engines and refrigerators.

Wave function symmetry acts as an accessible resource for thermodynamic advantage.

Abstract

We examine a quantum Otto engine with a harmonic working medium consisting of two particles to explore the use of wave function symmetry as an accessible resource. It is shown that the bosonic system displays enhanced performance when compared to two independent single particle engines, while the fermionic system displays reduced performance. To this end, we explore the trade-off between efficiency and power output and the parameter regimes under which the system functions as engine, refrigerator, or heater. Remarkably, the bosonic system operates under a wider parameter space both when operating as an engine and as a refrigerator.