A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Work as an external quantum observable and an operational quantum work fluctuation theorem
Authors: Beyer K, Luoma K, Strunz WT
Publisher: AMER PHYSICAL SOC
Publication year: 2020
Journal: Physical Review Research
Journal name in source: PHYSICAL REVIEW RESEARCH
Journal acronym: PHYS REV RES
Article number: ARTN 033508
Volume: 2
Issue: 3
Number of pages: 9
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.2.033508
Abstract
e propose a definition of externally measurable quantum work in driven systems. Work is given as a quantum observable on a control device which is forcing the system and can be determined without knowledge of the system Hamiltonian (H) over cap (S). We argue that quantum work fluctuation theorems which rely on the knowledge of (H) over cap (S) are of little practical relevance, contrary to their classical counterparts. Using our framework, we derive a fluctuation theorem which is operationally accessible and could in principle be implemented in experiments to determine bounds on free energy differences of unknown systems.
e propose a definition of externally measurable quantum work in driven systems. Work is given as a quantum observable on a control device which is forcing the system and can be determined without knowledge of the system Hamiltonian (H) over cap (S). We argue that quantum work fluctuation theorems which rely on the knowledge of (H) over cap (S) are of little practical relevance, contrary to their classical counterparts. Using our framework, we derive a fluctuation theorem which is operationally accessible and could in principle be implemented in experiments to determine bounds on free energy differences of unknown systems.