Quantum refrigeration powered by noise in a superconducting circuit
Abstract
While dephasing noise frequently presents obstacles for quantum devices, it can become an asset in the context of a Brownian-type quantum refrigerator. Here we demonstrate a novel quantum thermal machine that leverages noise-assisted quantum transport to fuel a cooling engine in steady state. The device exploits symmetry-selective couplings between a superconducting artificial molecule and two microwave waveguides. These waveguides act as thermal reservoirs of different temperatures, which we regulate by employing synthesized thermal fields. We inject dephasing noise through a third channel that is longitudinally coupled to an artificial atom of the molecule. By varying the relative temperatures of the reservoirs, and measuring heat currents with a resolution below 1 aW, we demonstrate that the device can be operated as a quantum heat engine, thermal accelerator, and refrigerator. Our findings open new avenues for investigating quantum thermodynamics using superconducting quantum machines coupled to thermal microwave waveguides.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2403.03373,
title = {Quantum refrigeration powered by noise in a superconducting circuit},
author = {Simon Sundelin and Mohammed Ali Aamir and Vyom Manish Kulkarni and Claudia Castillo-Moreno and Simone Gasparinetti},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.03373},
year = {2026}
}