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Advancements in Quantum Heat Engines: Chiral Quantum Heating and Cooling
The quest for efficient energy conversion technologies has led to tremendous interest in quantum heat engines (QHEs), which are crucial in harnessing thermal energy for practical use. As developments in nanotechnology continue to accelerate, QHEs have emerged as significant players in the realm of quantum thermodynamics.
Distinct from conventional heat engines, QHEs function as open quantum systems that interact with external thermal reservoirs, resulting in quantum jumps. This dynamic process necessitates a comprehensive understanding through the lens of Liouvillian exceptional points (LEPs), rather than the more familiar Hamiltonian exceptional points (EPs). The study of LEPs is particularly relevant for qubit-based quantum heat engines, where their unique properties can yield new insights into quantum mechanics.
Despite the burgeoning interest in quantum systems, research surrounding LEPs remains relatively limited, especially in quantum thermodynamics. The unique characteristics of LEPs provide a novel perspective on heat engine behavior, driven by the quantum jumping phenomenon.
Recent research published in Light: Science & Applications highlights groundbreaking findings from a collaboration led by Professor Mang Feng of the Innovation Academy for Precision Measurement Science and Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Working alongside Professor Hui Jing from Hunan Normal University and Professor Şahin K. Özdemir from Pennsylvania State University, the team investigated chiral heating, cooling, and quantum state transfer using an optically controlled ion.
This research illustrates the chiral thermodynamic properties inherent in quantum systems exhibiting non-Hermitian dynamics. The team’s work introduces a novel approach, enabling systems to dynamically traverse a closed loop in parameter space without directly involving a LEP. The direction in which this loop is encircled dictates the operational mode of the system, determining whether it acts as a heat engine or a refrigerator.
The investigation also emphasizes the significance of non-adiabatic transitions and the Landau-Zener-Stückelberg (LZS) process in facilitating chiral operations within QHEs. This linkage between chirality and thermodynamic principles related to LEPs has not been previously established in experimental contexts.
According to Prof. Feng, “Our findings indicate a direct correlation between chirality, heat exchange, and the encircling direction of closed loops, challenging traditional notions that tie these phenomena to LEPs. This supports earlier observations in classical systems.” He added that this research unlocks pathways for enhanced explorations in quantum thermodynamics and the development of innovative quantum chiral devices.
The implications of this study extend to optimizing the dynamics of QHEs, potentially leading to more efficient technologies in fields such as energy conversion and quantum computing. The insights gained from this research may also spur further investigations into the connections between chiral behavior and topological features in non-Hermitian systems.
More information:
Jin-Tao Bu et al, Chiral quantum heating and cooling with an optically controlled ion, Light: Science & Applications (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41377-024-01483-5
Citation:
Experiments demonstrate chiral quantum heating and cooling with an optically controlled ion (2024, September 2) retrieved 2 September 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-09-chiral-quantum-cooling-optically-ion.html
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