Nonequilibrium Reservoir Research Articles

Rigorous results on approach to thermal equilibrium, entanglement, and nonclassicality of an optical quantum field mode scattering from the elements of a non-equilibrium quantum reservoir

Rigorous derivations of the approach of individual elements of large isolated systems to a state of thermal equilibrium, starting from arbitrary initial states, are exceedingly rare. This is particularly true for quantum mechanical systems. We demonstrate here how, through a mechanism of repeated scattering, an approach to equilibrium of this type actually occurs in a specific quantum system, one that can be viewed as a natural quantum analog of several previously studied classical models. In particular, we consider an optical mode passing through a reservoir composed of a large number of sequentially-encountered modes of the same frequency, each of which it interacts with through a beam splitter. We then analyze the dependence of the asymptotic state of this mode on the assumed stationary common initial state σ of the reservoir modes and on the transmittance τ=cos⁡λ of the beam splitters. These results allow us to establish that at small λ such a mode will, starting from an arbitrary initial system state ρ, approach a state of thermal equilibrium even when the reservoir modes are not themselves initially thermalized. We show in addition that, when the initial states are pure, the asymptotic state of the optical mode is maximally entangled with the reservoir and exhibits less nonclassicality than the state of the reservoir modes.

Quantum synchronization with correlated baths

We study quantum synchronization under the nonequilibrium reservoirs. We consider a two-qubit XXZ chain coupled independently to their own reservoirs modeled by the collisional model. Two reservoir particles, initially prepared in a thermal state or a state with coherence, are correlated through a unitary transformation and afterward interact locally with the two quantum subsystems. We study the quantum effect of reservoir on synchronous dynamics of system. By preparing different reservoir initial states or manipulating the reservoir particles coupling and the temperature gradient, we find that quantum entanglement of reservoir is the key to control quantum synchronization of system qubits.

Stationary state of harmonic chains driven by boundary resetting

We study the nonequilibrium steady state of an ordered harmonic chain of N oscillators connected to two walls which undergo diffusive motion with stochastic resetting. The intermittent resetting of the walls effectively emulates two nonequilibrium reservoirs that exert temporally correlated forces on the boundary oscillators. These reservoirs are characterized by the diffusion constants and resetting rates of the walls. We find that, for any finite N, the velocity distribution of the bulk oscillators remains non-Gaussian, as evidenced by a non-zero bulk kurtosis that decays . We calculate the spatio-temporal correlation of the velocity of the oscillators both analytically as well as using numerical simulation. The signature of the boundary resetting is present at the bulk in terms of the two-time velocity correlation of a single oscillator and the equal-time spatial velocity correlation. For the resetting driven chain, the two-time velocity correlation decay as at the large time, and there exists a non-zero equal-time spatial velocity correlation when . A non-zero average energy current will flow through the system when the boundary walls reset to their initial positions at different rates. This average energy current can be computed exactly in the thermodynamic limit. Numerically we show that the distribution of the instantaneous energy current at the boundary is independent of the system size. However, the distribution of the instantaneous energy current in the bulk approaches a stationary distribution in the thermodynamic limit.

Cooling by Coulomb Heat Drag Based on Three Coupled Quantum Dots

We establish a model for a four-terminal thermoelectric system, based on three coupled quantum dots, which consists of a left/right electron reservoir (the source and the drain), two thermal reservoirs and three coupled quantum dots. Based on the master equation theory, we derive the expressions of the electron current and heat flow among the three quantum dots and the corresponding reservoir. We show that the source can be cooled by passing a thermal current between the two thermal reservoirs, with no net heat exchange between the thermal reservoirs and the electron reservoirs. This effect is called the Coulomb heat drag effect. Then, we define the coefficient of performance (COP) and the cooling power. The influence of the main system parameters, such as charging energy, energy level, and temperature, on the performance of the four-terminal thermoelectric system is analyzed in detail. By choosing appropriate parameters one can obtain the maximum cooling power and the corresponding COP. Finally, we also show that the Maxwell demon effect can be realized by using nonequilibrium thermal reservoirs in our four-terminal thermoelectric system.

Quantum thermodynamics in nonequilibrium reservoirs: Landauer-like bound and its implications

We study quantum thermodynamics in nonequilibrium reservoirs (NERs) that are prepared from initially thermal ones via unitary driving processes. Based on the formulation of entropy production in NERs, we establish a Landauer-like bound and show that the bound can be violated under a definite condition depending on the states of NERs. It is found that the breakdown of this Landauer-like bound implies occurrences of several anomalous phenomena in NERs, namely, the efficiency enhancement of quantum thermal machines beyond the Carnot limit, the extraction of work from a single reservoir, and the spontaneous heat flow from a cold reservoir to a hot one. The results are illustrated through a physical model taking the preparation processes of NERs into account. Our work sheds light on the reason and condition of some unusual phenomena occurring in NERs and is helpful for one to prepare effective NERs that can be used as quantum resources to realize certain thermodynamic tasks.

Quantum dynamics of a harmonic oscillator in a non-equilibrium bath without the rotating wave approximation

The aim of this paper is to investigate dynamical properties of a harmonic oscillator coupled to a non-equilibrium bath without the rotating wave approximation. At first, we investigate the theory of this model and obtain the Heisenberg equations of motion for the oscillator and bath annihilation operators in the absence and in the presence of a rotating wave approximation. Then, we obtain the fluctuation and fluctuation-dissipation relations in the absence and in the presence of a rotating wave approximation for the non-equilibrium bath annihilation operator, respectively. After that, we study the decay of system modes using the Wigner-Weisskopf approximation. Finally, we calculate the time-dependent spectrum of a cavity field mode coupled to a non-equilibrium reservoir. We show that even under the condition in which the RWA is considered to be valid (weak interaction), there are significant effects of virtual-photon field on the diffusion coefficient, the energy density, line width and the shift frequency.

Upper bound for quantum entropy production from entropy flux.

Entropy production is a key quantity characterizing nonequilibrium systems. However, it can often be difficult to compute in practice, as it requires detailed information about the system and the dynamics it undergoes. This becomes even more difficult in the quantum domain and if one is interested in generic nonequilibrium reservoirs, for which the standard thermal recipes no longer apply. In this paper, we derive an upper bound for the entropy production in terms of the entropy flux for a class of systems for which the flux is given in terms of a system's observable. Since currents are often easily accessible in this class of systems, this bound should prove useful for estimating the entropy production in a broad variety of processes. We illustrate the applicability of the bound by considering a three-level maser engine and a system interacting with a squeezed bath.

Extracting work from random collisions: A model of a quantum heat engine.

We study the statistical distribution of the ergotropy and of the efficiency of a single-qubit battery ad of a single-qubit Otto engine, respectively fueled by random collisions. The single qubit, our working fluid, is assumed to exchange energy with two reservoirs: a nonequilibrium "hot" reservoir and a zero-temperature cold reservoir. The interactions between the qubit and the reservoirs are described in terms of a collision model of open system dynamics. The qubit interacts with the nonequilibrium reservoir (a large ensemble of qudits all prepared in the same pure state) via random unitary collisions and with the cold reservoir (a large ensemble of qubits in their ground state) via a partial swap. Due to the random nature of the interaction with the hot reservoir, fluctuations in ergotropy, heat, and work are present, shrinking with the size of the qudits in the hot reservoir. While the mean, "macroscopic" efficiency of the Otto engine is the same as in the case in which the hot reservoir is a thermal one, the distribution of efficiencies does not support finite moments, so that the mean of efficiencies does not coincide with the macroscopic efficiency.

Nonequilibrium thermodynamics of self-supervised learning

Self-supervised learning (SSL) of energy based models has an intuitive relation to equilibrium thermodynamics because the softmax layer, mapping energies to probabilities, is a Gibbs distribution. However, in what way SSL is a thermodynamic process? We show that some SSL paradigms behave as a thermodynamic composite system formed by representations and self-labels in contact with a nonequilibrium reservoir. Moreover, this system is subjected to usual thermodynamic cycles, such as adiabatic expansion and isochoric heating, resulting in a generalized Gibbs ensemble (GGE). In this picture, we show that learning is seen as a demon that operates in cycles using feedback measurements to extract negative work from the system. As applications, we examine some SSL algorithms using this idea.

Underdamped active Brownian heat engine.

Active Brownian engines rectify energy from reservoirs composed of self-propelling nonequilibrium molecules into work. We consider a class of such engines based on an underdamped Brownian particle trapped in a power-law potential. The energy they transform has thermodynamic properties of heat only if the nonequilibrium reservoir can be assigned a suitable effective temperature consistent with the second law and thus yielding an upper bound on the engine efficiency. The effective temperature exists if the total force exerted on the particle by the bath is not correlated with the particle position. In general, this occurs if the noise autocorrelation function and the friction kernel are proportional as in the fluctuation-dissipation theorem. But even if the proportionality is broken, the effective temperature can be defined in restricted, fine-tuned, parameter regimes, as we demonstrate on a specific example with harmonic potential.

Active Brownian heat engines

When do non-equilibrium forms of disordered energy qualify as heat? \textcolor{blue}{We address this question in the context of cyclically operating heat engines in contact with a non-equilibrium energy reservoir that defies the zeroth law of thermodynamics. To consistently address the latter as a heat bath requires the existence of a precise mapping to an equivalent cycle with an equilibrium bath at a time-dependent effective temperature. We identify the most general setup for which this can generically be ascertained and thoroughly discuss an analytically tractable, experimentally relevant scenario}: a Brownian particle confined in a \textcolor{blue}{periodically} modulated harmonic potential and coupled to some non-equilibrium bath of variable activity. We deduce formal limitations for its thermodynamic performance, including maximum efficiency, efficiency at maximum power, and maximum efficiency at fixed power. They can guide the design of new micro-machines and clarify how much these can outperform passive-bath designs, which has been a debated issue for recent experimental realizations. To illustrate the general principles for practical quasi-static and finite-rate protocols, we further analyze a specific realization of such an active heat engine based on the paradigmatic Active Brownian Particle (ABP) model. This reveals some non-intuitive features of the explicitly computed dynamical effective temperature, illustrates various conceptual and practical limitations of the effective-equilibrium mapping, and clarifies the operational relevance of various coarse-grained measures of dissipation.

Nonequilibrium reservoir engineering of a biased coherent conductor for hybrid energy transport in nanojunctions* *Project supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2017YFA0403501), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 21873033), and the Program for HUST Academic Frontier Youth Team.

We show that a current-carrying coherent electron conductor can be treated as an effective bosonic energy reservoir involving different types of electron–hole pair excitations. For weak electron–boson coupling, hybrid energy transport between nonequilibrium electrons and bosons can be described by a Landauer-like formula. This allows for unified account of a variety of heat transport problems in hybrid electron–boson systems. As applications, we study the non-reciprocal heat transport between electrons and bosons, thermoelectric current from a cold-spot, and electronic cooling of the bosons. Our unified framework provides an intuitive way of understanding hybrid energy transport between electrons and bosons in their weak coupling limit. It opens the way of nonequilibrium reservoir engineering for efficient energy control between different quasi-particles at the nanoscale.

Entropy current and efficiency of quantum machines driven by nonequilibrium incoherent reservoirs

Nanotechnology has not only provided us the possibility of developing quantum machines but also noncanonical power sources able to drive them. Here we focus on studying the performance of quantum machines driven by arbitrary combinations of equilibrium reservoirs and a form of engineered reservoirs consisting of noninteracting particles but whose distribution functions are nonthermal. We provide the expressions for calculating the maximum efficiency of those machines without needing any knowledge of how the nonequilibrium reservoirs were actually made. The formulas require the calculation of a quantity that we term entropy current, which we also derive. We illustrate our methodology through a solvable toy model where heat "spontaneously" flows against the temperature gradient.

Non-commutative space: boon or bane for quantum engines and refrigerators

Various quantum systems are considered as the working substance for the analysis of quantum heat cycles and quantum refrigerators. The ongoing technological challenge is how efficiently can a heat engine convert thermal energy to mechanical work. The seminal work of Carnot has proposed a fundamental upper limit-the Carnot limit on the efficiency of the heat engine. However, the heat engines can be operated beyond the fundamental upper limit by exploiting non-equilibrium reservoirs. Here, the change in the space structure introduces the non-equilibrium effect. So, a question arises whether a change in the space structure can provide any boost for the quantum engines and refrigerators. The efficiency of the heat cycle and the coefficient of performance (COP) of the refrigerator cycles in the non-commutative space are analyzed here. The efficiency of the quantum heat engines gets a boost with the change in the space structure than the traditional quantum heat engine but the effectiveness of the non-commutative parameter is less for the efficiency compared to the COP of the refrigerator. There is a steep boost for the coefficient of performance of the refrigerator cycles for the non-commutative space harmonic oscillator compared to the harmonic oscillator.

A quantum open system model of molecular battery charged by excitons.

The analytically tractable model employing quantum Markovian master equations, derived by a weak coupling procedure and generating completely positive dynamics is proposed to describe a model of a molecular battery charged by a nonequilibrium excitonic reservoir. Excitons are produced by nonequilibrium processes involving, e.g., light absorption and chemical reactions. Various relations concerning the efficiency of the involved processes of energy transfer and the stability of the battery are discussed. The model can be treated as an initial step in applications of a mathematically sound version of quantum theory of open systems to complex processes of energy transfer in biological systems and man-made devices based on organic materials.

Autler-Townes doublet observation via a Cooper-pair beam splitter

We present a proof-of-principle of how electronic transport measurements permits the observation of the Autler-Townes doublet, an optical property of nanodevices. The quantum physical system consists of one optically pumped quantum dot, a second auxiliary quantum dot, and a superconductor lead which provides an effective coupling between the dots via crossed Andreev reflection. Electrodes, working as source and drain, acts as nonequilibrium electronic reservoirs. Our calculations of the photocurrent at both, transient and stationary regimes, obtained using a density matrix formalism for open quantum systems, shows signatures of the formation of the Autler-Townes doublet, caused by the interplay between the optical pumping and the crossed Andreev reflection.

Spin-phase-space-entropy production

Quantifying the degree of irreversibility of an open system dynamics represents a problem of both fundamental and applied relevance. Even though a well-known framework exists for thermal baths, the results give diverging results in the limit of zero temperature and are also not readily extended to nonequilibrium reservoirs, such as dephasing baths. Aimed at filling this gap, in this paper we introduce a phase-space-entropy production framework for quantifying the irreversibility of spin systems undergoing Lindblad dynamics. The theory is based on the spin Husimi-Q function and its corresponding phase-space entropy, known as Wehrl entropy. Unlike the von Neumann entropy production rate, we show that in our framework, the Wehrl entropy roduction rate remains valid at any temperature and is also readily extended to arbitrary nonequilibrium baths. As an application, we discuss the irreversibility associated with the interaction of a two-level system with a single-photon pulse, a problem which cannot be treated using the conventional approach.

Squeezed Thermal Reservoirs as a Resource for a Nanomechanical Engine beyond the Carnot Limit

The efficient conversion of thermal energy to mechanical work by a heat engine is an ongoing technological challenge. Since the pioneering work of Carnot, it is known that the efficiency of heat engines is bounded by a fundamental upper limit, the Carnot limit. Theoretical studies suggest that heat engines may be operated beyond the Carnot limit by exploiting stationary, non-equilibrium reservoirs that are characterized by a temperature as well as further parameters. In a proof-of-principle experiment, we demonstrate that the efficiency of a nano-beam heat engine coupled to squeezed thermal noise is not bounded by the standard Carnot limit. Remarkably, we also show that it is possible to design a cyclic process that allows for extraction of mechanical work from a single squeezed thermal reservoir. Our results demonstrate a qualitatively new regime of non-equilibrium thermodynamics at small scales and provide a new perspective on the design of efficient, highly miniaturized engines.

Wigner Entropy Production Rate.

The characterization of irreversibility in general quantum processes is an open problem of increasing technological relevance. Yet, the tools currently available to this aim are mostly limited to the assessment of dynamics induced by equilibrium environments, a situation that often does not match the reality of experiments at the microscopic and mesoscopic scale. We propose a theory of irreversible entropy production that is suited for quantum systems exposed to general, nonequilibrium reservoirs. We illustrate our framework by addressing a set of physically relevant situations that clarify both the features and the potential of our proposal.

Multiphase flow in oil and gas reservoirs

The porous rocks that make up oil and gas reservoirs are composed of complex combinations of pores, pore throats, and fractures. Pore networks are groups of these void spaces that are connected by pathways that have the same fluid entry pressures. Any fluid movement in pore networks will be along the pathways that require the minimum energy expenditure. After emplacement of hydrocarbons in a reservoir, fluid saturations, capillary pressure, and energy are in equilibrium, a significant amount of the reservoir energy is stored at the interface between the fluids. Any mechanism that changes the pressure, volume, chemistry, or temperature of the fluids in the reservoir results in a state of energy non-equilibrium. Existing reservoir engineering equations do not address this non-equilibrium condition, but rather assume that all reservoirs are in equilibrium. The assumption of equilibrium results in incorrect descriptions of fluid flow in energy non-equilibrium reservoirs. This, coupled with the fact that drilling-induced permeability damage is common in these reservoirs, often results in incorrect conclusions regarding the potential producibility of the well. Relative permeability damage, damage that can change which fluids are produced from a hydrocarbon reservoir, can occur even in very permeable reservoirs. Use of dependent variables in reservoir analysis does not correctly describe the physics of fluid flow in the reservoir and will lead to potentially incorrect answers regarding producibility of the reservoir.