Limits on quantum measurement engines

TL;DR

This paper investigates the fundamental limits of quantum measurement engines, focusing on energy exchanges, dissipation, and the quantum nature of the measurement process, using a spin-1/2 system coupled to the electromagnetic vacuum.

Contribution

It introduces a quantum measurement engine model based on a spin-1/2 particle and analyzes its dynamics, work, power, and efficiency considering quantum measurement effects.

Findings

Quantum measurement involves energy dissipation and time constraints.

The electromagnetic vacuum acts as a measurement apparatus influencing engine performance.

Limits on efficiency and power are derived from quantum measurement principles.

Abstract

A quantum measurement involves energy exchanges between the system to be measured and the measuring apparatus. Some of them involve energy losses, for example because energy is dissipated into the environment or is spent in recording the measurement outcome. Moreover, these processes take time. For this reason, these exchanges must be taken into account in the analysis of a quantum measurement engine, and set limits to its efficiency and power. We propose a quantum engine based on a spin 1/2 particle in a magnetic field and study its fundamental limitations due to the quantum nature of the evolution. The coupling with the electromagnetic vacuum is taken into account and plays the role of a measurement apparatus. We fully study its dynamics, work, power and efficiency.