An Information-Theoretic Bound on Thermodynamic Efficiency and the Generalized Carnot's Theorem

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2604.10762v1
• Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:13:45 GMT
• Title: An Information-Theoretic Bound on Thermodynamic Efficiency and the Generalized Carnot's Theorem
• Abstract summary: We derive a bound on the efficiency of thermal engines that can be sharper than Carnot's limit.<n>We show that an engine made of a quantum dot coupled with fermionic baths can achieve the bound, even when operating beyond the quasistatic regime.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: We derive a bound on the efficiency of thermal engines that can be sharper than Carnot's limit. It is a function of statistical correlations between the engine internal state and Hamiltonian, can be saturated even in finite-time cycles, and applies to both classical and quantum engines. Specifically, the bound establishes the exact maximal efficiency of engines operating with multiple baths, tightening the upper limit set by Carnot's theorem. Then, we show that an engine made of a quantum dot coupled with fermionic baths can achieve the bound, even when operating beyond the quasistatic regime. The result provides a design principle for realistic energy harvesting machines.

Related papers

• Approaching Carnot Efficiency at Finite Power in an Experimentally Feasible Quantum Heat Engine [0.0]
  We propose a superconducting-circuit heat engine that emulates the collective enhancement, thereby enabling an approach to Carnot efficiency at finite power.<n>Our work connects abstract bounds in finite-time thermodynamics to a concrete circuit-QED platform and suggests a route quantum-device design based on collectively enhanced dissipative processes.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-07-09T17:24:27Z)
• Power-efficiency-stability trade-off in quantum information engines [0.0]
  We study the power-efficiency-stability trade-off in a finite-time quantum Carnot information engine.<n>We show that maximum efficiency can be reached at both finite work output and finite work output fluctuations.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-09-05T08:19:44Z)
• Correlation-boosted quantum engine: A proof-of-principle demonstration [0.0]
  We design and implement a non-classically correlated SWAP heat engine that allows to achieve an efficiency above the standard Carnot limit. The boosted efficiency arises from a trade-off between the entropy production and the consumption of quantum correlations. We implement a proof-of-principle demonstration of the engine efficiency enhancement by effectively tailoring the thermal engine on a cloud quantum processor.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-11-21T13:38:54Z)
• Correspondence Between the Energy Equipartition Theorem in Classical Mechanics and its Phase-Space Formulation in Quantum Mechanics [62.997667081978825]
  In quantum mechanics, the energy per degree of freedom is not equally distributed. We show that in the high-temperature regime, the classical result is recovered.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-05-24T20:51:03Z)
• 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)
• General theory for thermal and nonthermal quantum linear engines [0.0]
  We show that when coupled to a single reservoir work cannot be extracted unless there is population inversion. We show that the ratio between the heat flowing out and into the working medium cannot be arbitrarily small, satisfying a form of Clausius inequality.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-12-07T18:55:06Z)
• The quantum Otto cycle in a superconducting cavity in the non-adiabatic regime [62.997667081978825]
  We analyze the efficiency of the quantum Otto cycle applied to a superconducting cavity. It is shown that, in a non-adiabatic regime, the efficiency of the quantum cycle is affected by the dynamical Casimir effect.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-11-30T11:47:33Z)
• The problem of engines in statistical physics [62.997667081978825]
  Engines are open systems that can generate work cyclically, at the expense of an external disequilibrium. Recent advances in the theory of open quantum systems point to a more realistic description of autonomous engines. We show how the external loading force and the thermal noise may be incorporated into the relevant equations of motion.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-08-17T03:59:09Z)
• Collective effects on the performance and stability of quantum heat engines [62.997667081978825]
  Recent predictions for quantum-mechanical enhancements in the operation of small heat engines have raised renewed interest. One essential question is whether collective effects may help to carry enhancements over larger scales. We study how power, efficiency and constancy scale with the number of spins composing the engine.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-06-25T18:00:07Z)
• Quantum Heat Engines with Carnot Efficiency at Maximum Power [0.0]
  We introduce quantum heat engines that deliver maximum power with Carnot efficiency in the one-shot finite-size regime. The engines operate in a one-step cycle by letting the working system simultaneously interact with hot and cold baths.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-06-02T14:34:38Z)
• Maximal power for heat engines: role of asymmetric interaction times [110.83289076967895]
  We introduce the idea of adjusting the interaction time asymmetry in order to optimize the engine performance. Distinct optimization protocols are analyzed in the framework of thermodynamics.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-12-16T22:26:14Z)
• Thermodynamic uncertainty relation in slowly driven quantum heat engines [0.0]
  We show that an alternative TUR is satisfied, which is less restrictive than that of steady-state engines. We illustrate our findings in the experimentally relevant model of a single-ion heat engine.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2020-06-12T16:55:05Z)

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.