Quantum Heat Engines and the Generalized Uncertainty Principle

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) influences the efficiency of quantum heat engines, specifically Carnot and Otto types, showing that GUP generally reduces efficiency, especially at lower temperatures and smaller potential well widths.

Contribution

It introduces a GUP-corrected analysis of quantum heat engine efficiencies using the partition function approach, highlighting the impact of quantum gravity effects.

Findings

GUP reduces quantum heat engine efficiency

Efficiency decreases more at lower cold bath temperatures

Smaller potential wells amplify GUP effects

Abstract

We study the effects of the generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) on the efficiency of quantum heat engines based on a particle in an infinite square well using the partition function approach. In particular, we study the Carnot and Otto heat engines. For the system we used, the GUP-corrected efficiencies turned out to be lower than efficiencies without the GUP effects. However, as expected, GUP effects increase as the temperature of the cold heat bath decreases and as the width of the potential well decreases.