Single-Atom Heat Machines Enabled by Energy Quantization

David Gelbwaser-Klimovsky, Alexei Bylinskii, Dorian Gangloff, Rajibul Islam, Alán Aspuru-Guzik, Vladan Vuletic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Quantization of energy is a quintessential characteristic of quantum systems. Here we analyze its effects on the operation of Otto cycle heat machines and show that energy quantization alone may alter and increase machine performance in terms of output work, efficiency, and even operation mode. We show that this difference in performance occurs in machines with inhomogeneous energy level scaling, while quantum machines with homogeneous level scaling behave like classical machines. Our results demonstrate that quantum thermodynamics enables the realization of classically inconceivable Otto machines, such as those with an incompressible working substance. We propose to measure these effects experimentally using a laser-cooled trapped ion as a microscopic heat machine.

Original languageEnglish
Article number170601
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume120
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Apr 2018
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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