Abstract
We analyze the production of entropy along non-equilibrium processes in quantum systems coupled to generic environments. First, we show that the entropy production due to final measurements and the loss of correlations obeys a fluctuation theorem in detailed and integral forms. Second, we discuss the decomposition of the entropy production into two positive contributions, adiabatic and non-adiabatic, based on the existence of invariant states of the local dynamics. Fluctuation theorems for both contributions hold only for evolutions verifying a specific condition of quantum origin. We illustrate our results with three relevant examples of quantum thermodynamic processes far from equilibrium.
Highlights
Classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics provide a systematic approach to the phenomenology of a system immersed in a large environment
II, we introduce a thermodynamic process for a generic bipartite system that models a system and its environment
Our first main result is the fluctuation theorem (23), which compares the probability of forward and backward trajectories. Particularizing this expression to certain initial conditions of the backward process, one can obtain fluctuation theorems (FT’s) for the change of inclusive (14) and exclusive (15) entropy production, i.e., for the entropy production that results from keeping or neglecting the classical correlations generated between the system and the environment during the process
Summary
Classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics provide a systematic approach to the phenomenology of a system immersed in a large environment. In light of the success of classical FT’s, it is desirable to obtain complementary FT’s for generic quantum dynamics [25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35] They could be of particular relevance since quantum mechanics allows for a richer phenomenology in finite baths [36,37,38], as well as novel and interesting nonthermal environments such as coherent [39,40], correlated [41], or squeezed [42,43,44,45] reservoirs. By tracing over the environment, we can recover the quantum map for the reduced system dynamics This setup allows us to unveil the origin of entropy production in arbitrary processes from coarse graining and derive corresponding FT’s.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
