Quantum fluctuation theorem in a curved spacetime

TL;DR

This paper derives a general relativistic quantum fluctuation theorem showing how spacetime curvature influences entropy production in quantum systems, highlighting observer dependence and linking the arrow of time to spacetime causal structure.

Contribution

It introduces a relativistic quantum fluctuation theorem using Fermi normal coordinates, connecting spacetime curvature with entropy production in quantum systems.

Findings

Spacetime curvature can produce entropy in quantum systems.

Entropy production depends on the observer's frame of reference.

The arrow of time is connected to the causal structure of spacetime.

Abstract

The interplay between thermodynamics, general relativity and quantum mechanics has long intrigued researchers. Recently, important advances have been obtained in thermodynamics, mainly regarding its application to the quantum domain through fluctuation theorems. In this letter, we apply Fermi normal coordinates to report a fully general relativistic detailed quantum fluctuation theorem based on the two point measurement scheme. We demonstrate how the spacetime curvature can produce entropy in a localized quantum system moving in a general spacetime. The example of a quantum harmonic oscillator living in an expanding universe is presented. This result implies that entropy production is strongly observer dependent and deeply connects the arrow of time with the causal structure of the spacetime.