Quantum thermal machines and batteries

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development of quantum thermal machines and batteries, highlighting theoretical advances and recent progress in understanding their operation and potential applications in quantum thermodynamics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of quantum thermal machines and batteries, emphasizing recent theoretical models and developments.

Findings

Progress in quantum thermodynamic theory of QTMs

Development of quantum battery concepts

Recent experimental and theoretical advances

Abstract

The seminal work by Sadi Carnot in the early nineteenth century provided the blueprint of a reversible heat engine and the celebrated second law of thermodynamics eventually followed. Almost two centuries later, the quest to formulate a quantum theory of the thermodynamic laws has thus unsurprisingly motivated physicists to visualise what are known as `quantum thermal machines' (QTMs). In this article, we review the prominent developments achieved in the theoretical construction as well as understanding of QTMs, beginning from the formulation of their earliest prototypes to recent models. We also present a detailed introduction and highlight recent progress in the rapidly developing field of `quantum batteries'.