Experimental observation and application of the genuine Quantum Mpemba Effect

TL;DR

This paper experimentally demonstrates the genuine quantum Mpemba effect in a spin-1/2 system, showing faster thermalization from farther states, and applies it to enhance quantum refrigerator cooling power.

Contribution

It provides the first experimental observation of the genuine quantum Mpemba effect and demonstrates its practical application in improving quantum thermal devices.

Findings

Observed the genuine quantum Mpemba effect in a spin-1/2 system.

Applied the effect to increase the cooling power of a quantum Otto refrigerator.

Unveiled new methods for enhancing quantum thermal processes.

Abstract

Coherence is an inherently quantum property that deeply affects microscopic processes, including thermalization phenomena. A striking example is the quantum Mpemba effect (QME), in which a system can exhibit anomalous relaxation, thermalizing faster from a state initially farther from equilibrium than from one closer. Here, we experimentally investigate the genuine QME and observe how the dynamics of a spin-1/2 system interacting with a heat sink can be sped-up to equilibrium. Furthermore, we apply the QME in a quantum Otto refrigerator, thereby increasing its cooling power. This proof-of-concept experiment unveils new practical paths for improving quantum thermal tasks.