Incoherent control of optical signals; quantum heat engine approach

TL;DR

This paper introduces an incoherent control method for optical signals based on quantum heat engine principles, optimizing pump-probe signals by combining laser excitation with thermal relaxation in molecular systems.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to control optical signals using quantum heat engine concepts, linking thermodynamics with optical signal manipulation.

Findings

Optimized power and efficiency of pump-probe signals using quantum heat engine model.

Demonstrated equivalence between optical control and thermodynamic cycle.

Applicable in strong and weak coupling regimes.

Abstract

Optical pump-probe signals can be viewed as work done by the matter while transferring the energy between two coherent baths (from pump to probe). In thermodynamics a heat engine, such as laser, is a device which performs similar work but operating between two thermal baths. We propose an "incoherent" control procedure for the optical signals using the physics of quantum heat engine. By combining a coherent laser excitation of electronic excited state of molecule with thermal relaxation we introduce an effective thermal bath treating stimulated emission of probe photons as work performed by the heat engine. We optimize power and efficiency for the pump-probe signal using control parameters of the pump laser utilizing four level molecular model in strong and weak coupling regime illustrating its equivalence with the thermodynamic cycle of the heat engine.