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Quantum Trajectory Approach to the Stochastic Thermodynamics of a Forced Harmonic Oscillator

Statistical Mechanics 2015-06-03 v2 Quantum Physics

Abstract

I formulate a quantum stochastic thermodynamics for the quantum trajectories of a continuously-monitored forced harmonic oscillator coupled to a thermal reservoir. Consistent trajectory-dependent definitions are introduced for work, heat, and entropy, through engineering the thermal reservoir from a sequence of two-level systems. Within this formalism the connection between irreversibility and entropy production is analyzed and confirmed by proving a detailed fluctuation theorem for quantum trajectories. Finally, possible experimental verifications are discussed.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1111.7199,
  title  = {Quantum Trajectory Approach to the Stochastic Thermodynamics of a Forced Harmonic Oscillator},
  author = {Jordan M. Horowitz},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1111.7199},
  year   = {2015}
}

Comments

16 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PRE; expanded introduction and conclusion, corrected typos, new figure 3