Abstract
We illustrate recent results concerning the validity of the work fluctuation theorem in open quantum systems (Campisi et al 2009 Phys. Rev. Lett. 102 210401), by applying them to a solvable model of an open quantum system. The central role played by the thermodynamic partition function of the open quantum system, a two-level fluctuator with a strong quantum nondemolition coupling to a harmonic oscillator, is elucidated. The corresponding quantum Hamiltonian of mean force is evaluated explicitly. We study the thermodynamic entropy and the corresponding specific heat of this open system as a function of temperature and coupling strength and show that both may assume negative values at nonzero low temperatures.
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