Quantum thermodynamics: A nonequilibrium green's function approach

Massimiliano Esposito, Maicol A. Ochoa, Michael Galperin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We establish the foundations of a nonequilibrium theory of quantum thermodynamics for noninteracting open quantum systems strongly coupled to their reservoirs within the framework of the nonequilibrium Green's functions. The energy of the system and its coupling to the reservoirs are controlled by a slow external time-dependent force treated to first order beyond the quasistatic limit. We derive the four basic laws of thermodynamics and characterize reversible transformations. Stochastic thermodynamics is recovered in the weak coupling limit.

Original languageEnglish
Article number080602
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume114
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Feb 2015
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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