Quantum thermodynamics of the spin-boson model using the principle of minimal dissipation

TL;DR

This paper applies a minimal dissipation approach to quantum thermodynamics of the spin-boson model, using HEOM to explore environment effects on work, heat, and entropy beyond weak coupling, revealing notable differences from traditional weak-coupling results.

Contribution

It introduces a numerically exact method to analyze quantum thermodynamics of the spin-boson model beyond weak coupling using the principle of minimal dissipation.

Findings

Significant differences from weak-coupling thermodynamics in work, heat, and entropy production.

Demonstrates the applicability of the minimal dissipation principle to complex quantum systems.

Provides detailed analysis of environment influence in both adiabatic and non-adiabatic regimes.

Abstract

A recently developed approach to the thermodynamics of open quantum systems, on the basis of the principle of minimal dissipation, is applied to the spin-boson model. Employing a numerically exact quantum dynamical treatment based on the hierarchical equations of motion (HEOM) method, we investigate the influence of the environment on quantities such as work, heat and entropy production in a range of parameters which go beyond the weak-coupling limit and include both the non-adiabatic and the adiabatic regimes. The results reveal significant differences to the weak-coupling forms of work, heat and entropy production, which are analyzed in some detail.