The efficiency of simple Quantum Engine Stirling and Ericsson cycle

TL;DR

This paper investigates the efficiency of quantum versions of Stirling and Ericsson cycles using a single-particle quantum system, revealing their thermodynamic properties and similarities to classical engines.

Contribution

It constructs quantum analogues of Stirling and Ericsson cycles and derives their efficiencies, extending classical thermodynamics to quantum single-particle systems.

Findings

Quantum Stirling and Ericsson cycles have efficiencies analogous to classical engines.

The model uses a single particle in a potential well as the working medium.

Derived efficiencies provide insights into quantum thermodynamic processes.

Abstract

The quantum engine cycle serves as an analogous representation of the macroscopic nature of heat engines and the quantum regime of thermal devices composed of a single element. In this work, we follow the formalism of a quantum engine proposed by Bender et al. [1] where they observed quantum Carnot cycle with a single particle of mass m confined to an infinite one-dimensional potential well of width L as a working medium. Using this model, a quantum-mechanical analogue of the Stirling cycle [SC] and Ericsson cycle [EC] have been constructed through changes of both, the width of the well and its quantum state. The efficiency of quantum engines is derived, which is found to be analogous to classical thermodynamic engines. Keywords: Quantum thermodynamics, Quantum mechanics, Ericsson cycle, Stirling cycle, Quantum heat engines, Nano-engines.