English

Carnot's theorem for nonthermal stationary reservoirs

Quantum Physics 2011-11-23 v4 Statistical Mechanics

Abstract

Carnot's theorem poses a fundamental limit on the maximum efficiency achievable from an engine that works between two reservoirs at thermal equilibrium. We extend this result to the case of arbitrary nonthermal stationary reservoirs, even with quantum coherence. In order to do this we prove that a single nonthermal reservoir is formally equivalent to multiple equilibrium ones. Finally, we discuss the possibility of realizing an engine that works at unit efficiency by exploiting quantum coherence present in the reservoir.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1007.0335,
  title  = {Carnot's theorem for nonthermal stationary reservoirs},
  author = {Simone De Liberato and Masahito Ueda},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1007.0335},
  year   = {2011}
}