Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 042126 |
| Journal | Physical Review E |
| Volume | 93 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Apr 2016 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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.
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Mathematics(all)
- Statistics and Probability
- Physics and Astronomy(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
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In: Physical Review E, Vol. 93, No. 4, 042126, 22.04.2016.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Second law of thermodynamics under control restrictions
AU - Wilming, H.
AU - Gallego, R.
AU - Eisert, J.
PY - 2016/4/22
Y1 - 2016/4/22
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84964613663&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevE.93.042126
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevE.93.042126
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84964613663
VL - 93
JO - Physical Review E
JF - Physical Review E
SN - 2470-0045
IS - 4
M1 - 042126
ER -