Fundamental Constraints of Quantum Thermodynamics in the Markovian Regime

Abstract: Typical microscopic derivations of the dynamics of a finite-dimensional quantum system interacting with a large thermal bath lead to a master equation with a covariant Lindbladian that obeys the second law of thermodynamics.

In this talk I will present the fundamental constraints on population dynamics generated by all such Markovian thermal processes based on a newly introduced concept of continuous thermo-majorisation. More precisely, given the initial population of the system in the energy eigenbasis, I will state the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a Markovian thermal process that transforms the system into a state with a given final population. This will provide an exhaustive H-type theorem in terms of a continuous family of entropic functions that need to monotonically increase during the dynamics.

I will also present an algorithm that in a finite number of steps allows one to construct the full cone of population vectors achievable from a given initial state. Moreover, I will demonstrate that all such vectors can be obtained from the initial state by a universal set of elementary thermal controls given by two-level partial thermalisations. Finally, I will employ these results to investigate optimal work extraction and cooling processes, illustrating the role that memory effects play in thermodynamic protocols.

quantum computing and information

Audience: researchers in the topic

Comments: To request the zoom link, please send a message cqsiadmin@uts.edu.au using your business/organisation/institution email address.

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Centre for Quantum Software and Information Seminar Series

Series comments: To request the zoom link, please send a message to: cqsiadmin@uts.edu.au using your business/organisation/institution email address. Watch previous seminars on YouTube: - QSI Seminar Series 2021 (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLux7B14QYkPbDDOpqKSWScHXHodiBwr48) - QSI Seminar Series 2020 (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLux7B14QYkPZREUXReOq01ewLl02QXBXa)

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