Classical and Quantum Fluctuation Theorems for Heat Exchange

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the heat exchange between classical and quantum systems initially at different temperatures follows a fluctuation theorem, revealing fundamental symmetry properties of thermal fluctuations.

Contribution

It introduces a unified fluctuation theorem applicable to both classical and quantum heat exchange processes, expanding understanding of thermal fluctuation symmetries.

Findings

Heat exchange obeys a fluctuation theorem in classical systems.

Quantum systems also follow the fluctuation theorem for heat exchange.

The results unify classical and quantum thermodynamic fluctuation relations.

Abstract

The statistics of heat exchange between two classical or quantum finite systems initially prepared at different temperatures are shown to obey a fluctuation theorem.