Quantum thermodynamics under continuous monitoring: a general framework

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive theoretical framework for understanding quantum thermodynamics under continuous measurement, enabling the analysis of stochastic work, heat, and entropy production in monitored quantum systems.

Contribution

It develops a general formalism connecting quantum trajectories with thermodynamic quantities, extending the understanding of irreversibility and fluctuation theorems in monitored quantum systems.

Findings

Framework for stochastic thermodynamics in quantum systems

Connection between quantum trajectories and thermodynamic quantities

Illustrative examples demonstrating the formalism

Abstract

The thermodynamics of quantum systems driven out of equilibrium has attracted increasing attention in last the decade, in connection with quantum information and statistical physics, and with a focus on non-classical signatures. While a first approach can deal with average thermodynamics quantities over ensembles, in order to establish the impact of quantum and environmental fluctuations during the evolution, a continuous quantum measurement of the open system is required. Here we provide an introduction to the general theoretical framework to establish and interpret thermodynamics for quantum systems whose nonequilibrium evolution is continuously monitored. We review the formalism of quantum trajectories and its consistent application to the thermodynamic scenario, where main quantities such as work, heat, and entropy production can be defined at the stochastic level. The connection to irreversibility and fluctuation theorems is also discussed, together with some recent developments, and we provide some simple examples to illustrate the general theoretical framework.