Relazione su invito
Engineering dynamical couplings for quantum thermodynamic tasks.
Carrega M., Benenti G., Razzoli L., Cangemi L.M., De Filippis G., Cataudella V., Cavaliere F., Sassetti M.
Describing the thermodynamic properties of quantum systems far from equilibrium is challenging, in particular when the system is strongly coupled to its environment, or when memory effects cannot be neglected. Here, we address such regimes when the system-baths couplings are periodically modulated in time. We will demonstrate that the couplings modulation, usually associated to a purely dissipative effect can be suitably engineered to perform thermodynamic tasks. We discuss whether, and under which conditions, it is possible to realize a heat engine or a refrigerator. For that purpose, we consider the paradigmatic model of a quantum harmonic oscillator, exposed to a minimal modulation, that is, a monochromatic driving of the coupling to only one out of two thermal baths. We will show that in this setup non-Markovianity of the bath is a necessary condition to obtain a heat engine. In addition, we identify suitable structured environments for the engine to approach the ideal Carnot efficiency. Our results open up new possibilities for the use of non-Markovian open quantum systems for the construction and optimization of quantum thermal machines.