The role of quantum measurement in stochastic thermodynamics
Quantum Physics
2017-03-16 v1 Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Statistical Mechanics
Abstract
This article sets up a new formalism to investigate stochastic thermodynamics in the quantum regime, where stochasticity and irreversibility primarily come from quantum measurement. In the absence of any bath, we define a purely quantum component to heat exchange, that corresponds to energy fluctuations caused by measurement back-action. Energetic and entropic signatures of measurement induced irreversibility are then investigated for canonical experiments of quantum optics, and the energetic cost of counter-acting decoherence is characterized on a simple state-stabilizing protocol. By placing quantum measurement in a central position, our formalism contributes to bridge a gap between experimental quantum optics and quantum thermodynamics.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.1607.02404,
title = {The role of quantum measurement in stochastic thermodynamics},
author = {Cyril Elouard and David Herrera-Martí and Maxime Clusel and Alexia Auffèves},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1607.02404},
year = {2017}
}