Entropy Flow at the Quantum Limit

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2509.00645v1
• Date: Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:46:33 GMT
• Title: Entropy Flow at the Quantum Limit
• Authors: Marco A. Jimenez-Valencia, Parth Kumar, Yiheng Xu, Ferdinand Evers, Charles A. Stafford,
• Abstract summary: We show that the entropy entrained by heat flow is unbounded even though the entropy itself tends to zero.<n>The correct quantum formula predicts that the heat produced in quantum processes is vastly smaller than previously believed.
• Score: 32.461516972240865
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Thermal management is a key challenge, both globally and microscopically in integrated circuits and quantum technologies. The associated heat flow $I_Q$ has been understood since the advent of thermodynamics by a process of elimination, $I_Q{=}I_E{-}\mu I_N$, subtracting from the energy flow $I_E$ its convective contribution. However, in the quantum limit, this formula implies the paradoxical result that the entropy entrained by heat flow is unbounded even though the entropy itself tends to zero. We resolve this conundrum by recognizing that the traditional formula for heat is missing a quantum term. The correct quantum formula predicts that the heat produced in quantum processes is vastly smaller than previously believed, with correspondingly beneficial consequences for the efficiency of quantum machines.

Related papers

• Thermodynamics of adiabatic quantum pumping in quantum dots [50.24983453990065]
  We consider adiabatic quantum pumping through a resonant level model, a single-level quantum dot connected to two fermionic leads. We develop a self-contained thermodynamic description of this model accounting for the variation of the energy level of the dot and the tunnelling rates with the thermal baths.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-06-14T16:29:18Z)
• Noncommuting conserved charges in quantum thermodynamics and beyond [39.781091151259766]
  How do noncommuting charges affect thermodynamic phenomena? Charges' noncommutation has been found to invalidate derivations of the thermal state's form. Evidence suggests that noncommuting charges may hinder thermalization in some ways while enhancing thermalization in others.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-05-31T18:00:00Z)
• Quantum Thermal State Preparation [39.91303506884272]
  We introduce simple continuous-time quantum Gibbs samplers for simulating quantum master equations. We construct the first provably accurate and efficient algorithm for preparing certain purified Gibbs states. Our algorithms' costs have a provable dependence on temperature, accuracy, and the mixing time.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-03-31T17:29:56Z)
• Demonstrating Quantum Microscopic Reversibility Using Coherent States of Light [58.8645797643406]
  We propose and experimentally test a quantum generalization of the microscopic reversibility when a quantum system interacts with a heat bath. We verify that the quantum modification for the principle of microscopic reversibility is critical in the low-temperature limit.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-05-26T00:25:29Z)
• Gauge Quantum Thermodynamics of Time-local non-Markovian Evolutions [77.34726150561087]
  We deal with a generic time-local non-Markovian master equation. We define current and power to be process-dependent as in classical thermodynamics. Applying the theory to quantum thermal engines, we show that gauge transformations can change the machine efficiency.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-04-06T17:59:15Z)
• Fast Thermalization from the Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis [69.68937033275746]
  Eigenstate Thermalization Hypothesis (ETH) has played a major role in understanding thermodynamic phenomena in closed quantum systems. This paper establishes a rigorous link between ETH and fast thermalization to the global Gibbs state. Our results explain finite-time thermalization in chaotic open quantum systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-12-14T18:48:31Z)
• Open-system approach to nonequilibrium quantum thermodynamics at arbitrary coupling [77.34726150561087]
  We develop a general theory describing the thermodynamical behavior of open quantum systems coupled to thermal baths. Our approach is based on the exact time-local quantum master equation for the reduced open system states.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-09-24T11:19:22Z)
• Catalytic Entropy Principles [1.2691047660244335]
  entropy shows an unavoidable tendency of disorder in thermostatistics according to the second thermodynamics law. We present the first unified principle consistent with the second thermodynamics law in terms of general quantum entropies. Results should be interesting in the many-body theory and long-range quantum information processing.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-04-08T01:13:36Z)
• Taking the temperature of a pure quantum state [55.41644538483948]
  Temperature is a deceptively simple concept that still raises deep questions at the forefront of quantum physics research. We propose a scheme to measure the temperature of such pure states through quantum interference.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-03-30T18:18:37Z)
• Evolution of a Non-Hermitian Quantum Single-Molecule Junction at Constant Temperature [62.997667081978825]
  We present a theory for describing non-Hermitian quantum systems embedded in constant-temperature environments. We find that the combined action of probability losses and thermal fluctuations assists quantum transport through the molecular junction.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-01-21T14:33:34Z)
• Quantum corrections to the entropy in a driven quantum Brownian motion model [2.28438857884398]
  We study the von Neumann entropy of a particle undergoing quantum Brownian motion. Our results bring important insights to the understanding of entropy in open quantum systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-08-05T14:13:39Z)
• Thermodynamic Reverse Bounds for General Open Quantum Processes [1.7205106391379026]
  Various quantum thermodynamic bounds are shown to stem from a single tighter and more general inequality, consequence of the operator concavity of the logarithmic function. We apply our bound to evaluate the thermodynamic length for open processes, the heat exchange in erasure processes, and the maximal energy outflow in general quantum evolutions.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-03-19T03:10:20Z)
• Thermodynamics of Optical Bloch Equations [0.0]
  We study the coherent exchange of energy between a quantum bit (qubit) and a quasi-resonant driving field in the presence of a thermal bath. We coarse-grain the obtained expressions, using a methodology similar to the derivation of the dynamical master equation. Our findings can be readily extended to larger open quantum systems.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-01-22T14:37:05Z)
• On the contribution of work or heat in exchanged energy via interaction in open bipartite quantum systems [0.0]
  We will use genuine reasoning based on which Clausius originally defined work and heat in establishing thermodynamics. It will be shown that these refined definitions will strongly affect the entropy production of quantum thermodynamic processes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2019-12-04T13:52:46Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.