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quantum thermodynamic cycles and quantum heat engines

Haitao Quan, Los Alamos National Laboratory

(Session 15 : Sunday from 12:00-12:30)

Abstract. In this work, We are trying to make quantum mechanical generation of thermodynamics. our discussion will focus on the so-called quantum heat engines, which use quantum mechanical systems as the working substance. Quantum heat engines have some different properties from their classical counterpart. In order to describe quantum heat engines, we systematically studyisothermal and isochoric processes for quantum thermodynamic cycles. Based on these results the quantum versions of both the Carnot heat engine and the Otto heat engine are defined without ambiguities. We also study the properties of quantum Carnot and Otto heat engines in comparison with their classical counterparts. In addition, we discuss the role of Maxwell\'s demon in quantum thermodynamic cycles. We find that there is no violation of the second law, even in the existence of such a demon, when the demon is included correctly as part of the working substance of the heat engine.