Quantum limits to the second law and breach of symmetry

TL;DR

This paper discusses how quantum phenomena like persistent currents and quantum oscillations in superconducting loops can intrinsically breach symmetry and violate the classical second law of thermodynamics.

Contribution

It highlights the connection between quantum-induced symmetry breaches and violations of the second law, supported by experimental evidence in mesoscopic systems.

Findings

Persistent currents demonstrate intrinsic symmetry breach.

Quantum oscillations indicate violation of the second law.

Experimental evidence supports theoretical claims.

Abstract

Connection between an intrinsic breach of symmetry of equilibrium motion and violation of the second law is accentuated. An intrinsic breach only of clockwise - counter-clockwise symmetry of a circular equilibrium motion can be logical under equilibrium conditions, whereas a breach of right-left symmetry should be always an actual violation of the second law. The reader's attention is drawn to experimental evidence of an intrinsic breach of the clockwise - counter-clockwise symmetry of a circular equilibrium motion, well known as the persistent current. The persistent current is observed in mesoscopic normal metal, semiconductor and superconductor loops and the clockwise - counter-clockwise symmetry is broken because of the discrete spectrum of the permitted states of quantum charged particles in a closed loop. The quantum oscillations of the dc voltage observed on a segment of an asymmetric superconducting loop is experimental evidence of the intrinsic breach of the right-left symmetry and an actual violation of the second law.