Thermodynamics teaches that if a system initially off-equilibrium is coupled to work sources, the maximum it may yield governed by its energy and entropy. For finite systems this bound usually not reachable. The extractable compatible with quantum mechanics (``ergotropy'') derived expressed in terms of density matrix Hamiltonian. It related property majorization: more major states can provide work. Scenarios extraction contrast thermodynamic intuition are discussed, e.g. state larger entropy...

The concept of work is basic for statistical thermodynamics. To gain a fuller understanding and its (quantum) features, it needs to be represented as an average fluctuating quantity. Here I focus on the done between two moments time thermally isolated quantum system driven by time-dependent Hamiltonian. formulate natural conditions needed physically meaningful that starts evolution from nonequilibrium state. existing definitions do not satisfy these due issues are traced back...

We consider a class of quantum heat engines consisting two subsystems interacting with work-source and coupled to separate baths at different temperatures Th>Tc. The purpose the engine is extract work due temperature difference. Its dynamics not restricted near equilibrium regime. structure determined by maximizing extracted under various constraints. When this maximization carried out finite power, described well-defined satisfies local version second law. In addition, its efficiency...

We want to understand whether and which extent the maximal (Carnot) efficiency for heat engines can be reached at a finite power. To this end we generalize Carnot cycle so that it is not restricted slow processes. show realistic (i.e. purposefully-designed) engine-bath interactions, work-optimal engine performing generalized close has long time hence vanishing This aspect shown relate theory of computational complexity. A physical manifestation same effect Levinthal's paradox in protein...

The stationary state of a quantum particle strongly coupled to thermal bath is known be non-Gibbsian, due entanglement with the bath. For harmonic potentials, where system can described by effective temperatures, thermodynamic relations are shown take generalized Gibbsian form that may violate Clausius inequality. weakly anharmonic case, Fokker-Planck-type description constructed. It then work extracted from cyclic variation parameter. These apparent violations second law consequence...

The Brownian motion of a quantum particle in harmonic confining potential and coupled to thermal bath is exactly solvable. Though this system presents at high temperatures pedagogic example explain the laws thermodynamics, it shown that low enough stationary state non-Gibbsian due an entanglement with bath. In physical terms, happens when cloud modes around starts play nontrivial role, namely, temperature T smaller than coupling energy. Indeed, equilibrium thermodynamics total system, plus...

We study how Thomson's formulation of the second law thermodynamics (no work is extracted from an equilibrium ensemble by a cyclic process) emerges in quantum situation through averaging over fluctuations work. The latter concept carefully defined for systems, members which interact with macroscopic sources approach based on splitting mixed into pure subensembles, according to mechanics are maximally complete and irreducible. done filtering outcomes measurement process. corroborated...

We study a refrigerator model which consists of two $n$-level systems interacting via pulsed external field. Each system couples to its own thermal bath at temperatures ${T}_{h}$ and ${T}_{c}$, respectively $(\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\equiv}{T}_{c}/{T}_{h}<1)$. The functions in steps: thermally isolated interaction between the driven by field isothermal relaxation back equilibrium. There is complementarity power heat transfer from cold efficiency: latter nullifies when former maximized...

Background Confirmation bias is the tendency to acquire or evaluate new information in a way that consistent with one's preexisting beliefs. It omnipresent psychology, economics, and even scientific practices. Prior theoretical research of this phenomenon has mainly focused on its economic implications possibly missing potential connections broader notions cognitive science. Methodology/Principal Findings We formulate (non-Bayesian) model for revising subjective probabilistic opinion...

Statistical mechanics is based on interplay between energy minimization and entropy maximization. Here we formalize this via axioms of cooperative game theory (Nash bargaining) apply it out equilibrium. These capture basic notions related to joint maximization minus energy, formally represented by utilities two different players. We predict thermalization a non-equilibrium statistical system employing the axiom affine covariance|related freedom changing initial points dimensions for...

A basic task of information processing is transfer (flow). Here we study a pair Brownian particles each coupled to thermal bath at temperatures T1 and T2. The flow in such system defined via the time-shifted mutual information. nullifies equilibrium, its efficiency as ratio total entropy production system. For stationary state flows from higher lower temperatures, bounded above by (max[T1,T2])/(|T1−T2|). This upper bound imposed second law it quantifies thermodynamic cost for present class...

We study dynamic cooling, where an externally driven two-level system is cooled via reservoir, a quantum with initial canonical equilibrium state. obtain explicitly the minimal possible temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{min}}>0$ reachable for system. The minimization goes over all unitary processes operating on and reservoir energy spectrum. work needed to reach ${T}_{\mathrm{min}}$ grows as $1/{T}_{\mathrm{min}}$. This cost can be significantly reduced, though, if one satisfied by temperatures...

There are two fundamentally distinct but inextricably linked types of biological evolutionary units, reproducers and replicators. Reproducers cells organelles that reproduce via various forms division maintain the physical continuity compartments their content. Replicators genetic elements (GE), including genomes cellular organisms autonomous elements, both cooperate with rely on latter for replication. All known comprise a union between replicators reproducers. We explore model in which...

Detection of scattered light can determine the susceptibility dielectrics. Such imaging normally holds Rayleigh's limit: details finer than wavelength incident cannot be determined from far-field zone. We show that time -modulation an inhomogeneous dielectric used to its susceptibility. To this end, we focus on inverse quantum optics problem for spatially and temporally modulated metamaterial, whose is similar moving vacuum contribution photodetection signal nonzero due negative frequencies...

The unknown state $\hrho$ of a quantum system S is determined by letting it interact with an auxiliary A, the initial which known. A one-to-one mapping can thus be realized between density matrix and probabilities occurrence eigenvalues single factorized observable S+A, so that repeated measurements using apparatus. If are spins, suffices to measure simultaneously their $z$-components after controlled interaction. most robust setups in this case, for initially pure or completely disordered...

The minimal work principle states that done on a thermally isolated equilibrium system is for adiabatically slow (reversible) realization of given process. This principle, one the formulations second law, studied here finite (possibly large) quantum systems interacting with macroscopic sources work. It shown to be valid as long adiabatic energy levels do not cross. If level crossing does occur, counter-examples are discussed, showing can violated and optimal processes neither nor reversible....

It is postulated that the energy density of (quantum) vacuum acts firstly as dark and secondly a part matter.Assisted by electric fields arising from small charge mismatch in cosmic plasma, it can condense on mass concentrations.No longer participating expansion, this constitutes "electro-aether-energy" (EAE), "electrozero-point-energy" or "electro-vacuum-energy", which solves matter riddle without new physics.A radial field 1 kV/m predicted Galaxy.For proper fields, EAE cover results...

A known aspect of the Clausius inequality is that an equilibrium system subjected to a squeezing dS < 0 its entropy must release at least amount absolute value dQ = T times heat. This serves as basis for Landauer principle, which puts lower bound ln 2 heat generated by erasure one bit information. Here we show in world quantum entanglement this law broken. Brownian particle interacting with thermal bath can either generate less or even absorb during analogous process, due bath. The effect...

We show that work can be extracted from a two-level system (spin) coupled to bosonic thermal bath. This is possible due different initial temperatures of the spin and bath, both positive (no population inversion), realized by means suitable sequence sharp pulses applied spin. The order response energy therefore much larger than Moreover, efficiency extraction very close its maximum, given Carnot bound, at same time overall amount maximal. Therefore, we get finite power bound. effect comes...