An energy efficient quantum-enhanced machine

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates an energy-efficient quantum engine using a single ion, employing shortcut-to-adiabaticity techniques to suppress quantum friction, resulting in significantly improved work output and outperforming classical machines.

Contribution

The study experimentally realizes a quantum engine with suppressed quantum friction using shortcut-to-adiabaticity, enhancing energy efficiency and outperforming classical counterparts.

Findings

Work output increased by up to 33%

Quantum engine outperforms classical in energy efficiency

Quantum nature confirmed via nonclassical work oscillations

Abstract

Quantum friction, a quantum analog of classical friction, reduces the performance of quantum machines, such as heat engines, and makes them less energy efficient. We here report the experimental realization of an energy efficient quantum engine coupled to a quantum battery that stores the produced work, using a single ion in a linear Paul trap. We first establish the quantum nature of the device by observing nonclassical work oscillations with the number of cycles as verified by energy measurements of the battery. We moreover successfully apply shortcut-to-adiabaticity techniques to suppress quantum friction and improve work production. While the average energy cost of the shortcut protocol is only about $3\%$, the work output is enhanced by up to approximately 33$\%$, making the machine significantly more energy efficient. In addition, we show that the quantum engine consistently outperforms its classical counterpart in this regime. Our results pave the way for energy efficient machines with quantum-enhanced performance.