Nonequilibrium Quantum Batteries: Amplified Work Extraction Through Thermal Bath Modulation

TL;DR

This paper investigates how thermal bath modulation and inter-cell coupling influence work extraction in quantum batteries, revealing optimal conditions for maximizing energy efficiency through non-equilibrium dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework analyzing thermal gradients and coupling effects on quantum battery performance, highlighting strategies for optimizing energy extraction.

Findings

Increasing middle reservoir temperature enhances work extraction.

An optimal coupling regime maximizes energy output.

Excessive coupling leads to energy localization and reduced efficiency.

Abstract

This study examines the steady state characteristics of work extraction in a two cell and three cell quantum battery interacting with multiple thermal reservoirs. Employing the quantum master equation framework within the Born-Markov approximation, we explore the non equilibrium dynamics governing energy storage and extraction in the system. Our analysis focuses on the influence of thermal gradients across the reservoirs and the impact of inter cell coupling strength on the battery performance. The findings demonstrate that an increase in the middle reservoir temperature substantially enhances the extractable work, underscoring the pivotal role of thermal bath amplification in optimizing energy storage efficiency. Furthermore, we uncover a non trivial relationship between ergotropy and the coupling strength among the quantum cells, revealing the existence of an optimal coupling regime that maximizes energy extraction. Beyond this threshold, excessive coupling induces energy localization, thereby diminishing the system efficiency. These insights provide a theoretical foundation for the strategic design of high performance quantum batteries by harnessing thermal gradients and interaction driven control mechanisms.