Gain-assisted quantum heat engine based on electromagnetically induced transparency

Abstract

We propose a scheme to realize a gain-assisted quantum heat engine (QHE) based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), which consists of a three-level Λ-type atomic system interacting with two thermal reservoirs and a coupling field. The gain without inversion is induced to the system via spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) between two lower levels. The SGC has significantly affect on the system’s dynamics, resulting in an enhancement of the emission cross-section and spectral brightness of the QHE.