Performance of quantum heat engines via adiabatic deformation of potential

TL;DR

This paper investigates a quantum Otto engine where adiabatic potential deformation influences operation mode, enhances efficiency, and reduces work fluctuations, revealing universal efficiency behavior at maximal power.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum heat engine model using potential shape deformation for adiabatic strokes, demonstrating performance improvements and universal efficiency characteristics.

Findings

Potential deformation can switch operation modes.

Enhanced efficiency and reduced work fluctuations.

Universal efficiency behavior at maximal power.

Abstract

We present a quantum Otto engine model consisting of two isochoric and two adiabatic strokes, where the adiabatic expansion or compression is realized by adiabatically changing the shape of the potential. Here we show that such an adiabatic deformation may alter operation mode and enhance machine performance by increasing output work and efficiency, even with the advantage of decreasing work fluctuations. If the heat engine operates under maximal power by optimizing the control parameter, the efficiency shows certain universal behavior.