English

Quantum enhancement of information-mediated energy transfer

Statistical Mechanics 2026-06-26 v1 Quantum Physics

Abstract

Thermodynamics of information identifies information flow as a thermodynamic resource, but whether quantum coherence and collective coupling can enhance it at low entropy-production cost remains unresolved. We address this question for interacting open quantum systems by deriving a thermodynamic uncertainty relation that bounds information flow by entropy production in nonequilibrium steady states. We construct a quantum engine in which N-fold degenerate ground and excited states are collectively coupled to heat baths. Collective jumps enhance heat currents and information flow linearly with N, while entropy production remains independent of N, realizing a high-power, low-dissipation autonomous quantum Maxwell's demon that leverages collectively enhanced information flow to pump heat against a temperature gradient. Beyond steady states, collective interactions amplify the unitary component of quantum information flow, yielding a quadratic enhancement of the free-energy charging power of quantum batteries. Our results reveal scalable advantages of quantum coherence and collective effects in quantum engines.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2606.27868,
  title  = {Quantum enhancement of information-mediated energy transfer},
  author = {Shotaro Oki and Yuki Kadono and Kaito Tojo and Takahiro Sagawa and Ken Funo},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2606.27868},
  year   = {2026}
}