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Quantum transport efficiency and Fourier's law.
Daniel Manzano1, Markus Tiersch, Ali Asadian
1Institute for Theoretical Physics, University of Innsbruck, Technikerstrasse 25, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria, Europe. daniel.manzano@uibk.ac.at
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|February 2, 2013
Summary
Quantum systems violate Fourier's law of heat conduction, showing size-independent energy current. Introducing decoherence restores classical heat flow, relevant for biological energy transport.
Area of Science:
- Quantum physics
- Thermodynamics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Fourier's law describes classical heat conduction.
- Quantum systems may exhibit non-classical transport properties.
- Biological systems involve complex energy transfer mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- Analyze steady-state energy transfer in coupled quantum systems.
- Investigate deviations from Fourier's law in quantum chains.
- Explore the role of quantum effects in heat conduction.
Main Methods:
- Analytic treatment of energy transfer.
- Modeling coupled two-level systems connected to thermal reservoirs.
- Introducing decoherence to quantum systems.
Main Results:
- Energy current is independent of system size, violating Fourier's law.
- Decoherence recovers classical diffusive heat conduction.
- Quantum coherence and entanglement influence energy transport.
Conclusions:
- Quantum heat transport can deviate from classical predictions.
- Decoherence is crucial for classical heat conduction in quantum systems.
- Findings offer insights into energy transport in biological light-harvesting systems.
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