English

Demon-free quantum Brownian motors

Other Condensed Matter 2007-05-23 v1 Soft Condensed Matter Statistical Mechanics

Abstract

A quantum Smoluchowski equation is put forward that consistently describes thermal quantum states. In particular, it notably does not induce a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. This so modified kinetic equation is applied to study {\it analytically} directed quantum transport at strong friction in arbitrarily shaped ratchet potentials that are driven by nonthermal two-state noise. Depending on the mutual interplay of quantum tunneling and quantum reflection these quantum corrections can induce both, either a sizable enhancement or a suppression of transport. Moreover, the threshold for current reversals becomes markedly shifted due to such quantum fluctuations.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0402116,
  title  = {Demon-free quantum Brownian motors},
  author = {L. Machura and M. Kostur and P. Hänggi and P. Talkner and J. L uczka},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0402116},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

4 pages 3 figures