Nonequilibrium quantum statistical mechanics and thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in deriving thermodynamic laws from nonequilibrium quantum statistical mechanics, focusing on adiabatic theorems and cyclic processes using extended Floquet theory.

Contribution

It introduces new adiabatic theorems for steady states near and far from equilibrium and extends Floquet theory to analyze cyclic thermodynamic processes.

Findings

Development of adiabatic theorems for nonequilibrium steady states

Extension of Floquet theory to thermodynamic cycles

Clarification of thermodynamic notions in quantum context

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to discuss recent progress in deriving the fundamental laws of thermodynamics (0th, 1st and 2nd-law) from nonequilibrium quantum statistical mechanics. Basic thermodynamic notions are clarified and different reversible and irreversible thermodynamic processes are studied from the point of view of quantum statistical mechanics. Special emphasis is put on new adiabatic theorems for steady states close to and far from equilibrium, and on investigating cyclic thermodynamic processes using an extension of Floquet theory.