Temperature dependent maximization of work and efficiency in a degeneracy assisted quantum Stirling heat engine

TL;DR

This paper investigates how to optimize the work output and efficiency of quantum Stirling heat engines using harmonic oscillators and particle-in-box systems, revealing conditions for maximum performance and approaching Carnot efficiency at low temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a method to maximize the efficiency and work of quantum Stirling engines by tuning temperature ratios, and analyzes different quantum systems as working media.

Findings

Efficiency maximized at specific temperature ratios.

Efficiency approaches Carnot limit at low temperatures.

Optimal operation conditions identified for different quantum systems.

Abstract

We propose a quantum Stirling heat engine with an ensemble of harmonic oscillators as the working medium. We show that the efficiency of the harmonic oscillator quantum Stirling heat engine (HO-QSHE) at a given frequency can be maximized at a specific ratio of the temperatures of the thermal reservoirs. In the low temperature or equivalently high frequency limit of the harmonic oscillators, the efficiency of the HO-QSHE approaches the Carnot efficiency. Further, we analyse quantum Stirling heat engine with an ensemble of particle in box quantum systems as the working medium. Here both work and efficiency can be maximized at a specific ratio of temperatures of the thermal reservoirs. These studies will enable us to operate the quantum Stirling heat engines at its optimal performance. The theoretical study of the HO-QSHE would provide impetus for its experimental realisation, as most real systems can be approximated as harmonic oscillators for small displacements near equilibrium.