Second law of thermodynamics under control restrictions

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  • Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin)
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Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer042126
FachzeitschriftPhysical Review E
Jahrgang93
Ausgabenummer4
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 22 Apr. 2016
Extern publiziertJa

Abstract

The second law of thermodynamics, formulated as an ultimate bound on the maximum extractable work, has been rigorously derived in multiple scenarios. However, the unavoidable limitations that emerge due to the lack of control on small systems are often disregarded when deriving such bounds, which is specifically important in the context of quantum thermodynamics. Here we study the maximum extractable work with limited control over the working system and its interaction with the heat bath. We derive a general second law when the set of accessible Hamiltonians of the working system is arbitrarily restricted. We then apply our bound to particular scenarios that are important in realistic implementations: limitations on the maximum energy gap and local control over many-body systems. We hence demonstrate in what precise way the lack of control affects the second law. In particular, contrary to the unrestricted case, we show that the optimal work extraction is not achieved by simple thermal contacts. Our results not only generalize the second law to scenarios of practical relevance, but also take first steps in the direction of local thermodynamics.

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Second law of thermodynamics under control restrictions. / Wilming, H.; Gallego, R.; Eisert, J.
in: Physical Review E, Jahrgang 93, Nr. 4, 042126, 22.04.2016.

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungPeer-Review

Wilming H, Gallego R, Eisert J. Second law of thermodynamics under control restrictions. Physical Review E. 2016 Apr 22;93(4):042126. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.93.042126
Wilming, H. ; Gallego, R. ; Eisert, J. / Second law of thermodynamics under control restrictions. in: Physical Review E. 2016 ; Jahrgang 93, Nr. 4.
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