Abstract
A multiple-state quantum Carnot engine based on single particle in one dimensional potential well is evaluated. The general forms of adiabatic and isothermal force as well as work are given. We apply them first to the simplest case of two-state system, and then to three-state and general n-state system. The first isothermal expansion starts from single ground state and cease to single highest state. In Addition to the simplest case, isothermal expansions may terminate not to highest state but an intermediate state but with the same of the total expansion. The result is that the efficiency of the multi-state machine could be enhanced by reducing the volume of isothermal expansion for the same of the total volume expansion.
Highlights
As a device to convert heat energy into mechanical work, classically, heat engine consists of gas as working agents that expands and pushes a piston in a cylinder
This paper is organized as follows: In Section 2 we briefly review the simplest quantum mechanical Carnot engine based on one-dimensional potential well with two eigenstates
We provided a kind of quantum heat engines, i.e. a cyclic Carnot heat engine employing a single quantummechanical particle, as a working substance, confined to a potential well, instead of gas-filled cylinder
Summary
As a device to convert heat energy into mechanical work, classically, heat engine consists of gas as working agents that expands and pushes a piston in a cylinder. Mathematical model of an ideal heat engine was proposed by Sadi Carnot in 1824 It is reversible and has the highest possible efficiency for any engine operating between two given temperatures. Carnot’s engine is constructed by a cylinder containing an ideal gas placed in a thermal contact with high and low reservoirs temperatures, alternately. It consists of four processes, two isothermal and two adiabatic processes, each of which is reversible. Et al, [11] provided a kind of cyclic Carnot heat engine employing a single quantum-mechanical particle, as a working substance, confined to a potential well, instead of gas-filled cylinder.
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