Berry-Phase-Induced Chirality in Thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper uncovers a Berry-phase-induced chiral work difference in open quantum systems, revealing how quantum geometry influences thermodynamics even amid decoherence.

Contribution

It introduces a dissipative adiabatic perturbation expansion demonstrating a novel thermodynamic effect caused by geometric phases.

Findings

A chiral work difference persists despite decoherence.

The effect transitions from an interferometric Aharonov-Bohm to a fringe-free regime.

Framework demonstrated in a two-level quantum system.

Abstract

Geometric phases are foundational to isolated quantum systems, yet their thermodynamic role in open systems remains unrevealed Developing a dissipative adiabatic perturbation expansion, we discover a Berry-phase-induced chiral work difference that survives decoherence. This chirality evolves from an interferometric thermodynamic Aharonov-Bohm effect in the unitary regime to a fringe-free signal in the dissipative regime. We illustrate this framework in a two-level system and assess its experimental feasibility. Our findings clarify the role of quantum geometry in the geometric formulation of thermodynamics.