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No-go theorem for ground state cooling given initial system-thermal bath factorization.

Lian-Ao Wu1, Dvira Segal, Paul Brumer

  • 1Ikerbasque-Basque Foundation for Science and Department of Theoretical Physics and History of Science, The Basque Country University (EHU/UPV), PO Box 644, 48080 Bilbao, Spain. lianaowu@gmail.com

Scientific Reports
|May 11, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Achieving ground-state cooling for quantum systems in a thermal environment is challenging. This study proves it is impossible to reach the ground state via unitary evolution if the system and environment start in a factorized state.

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Area of Science:

  • Quantum thermodynamics
  • Quantum information science
  • Condensed matter physics

Background:

  • Ground-state cooling is crucial for quantum technologies, enabling pure state preparation.
  • Quantum systems are often embedded within larger thermal environments.
  • Existing methods for system-bath dynamics often assume factorized initial states.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the fundamental limits of ground-state cooling for quantum systems in thermal environments.
  • To rigorously prove constraints on cooling dynamics under unitary system-bath evolution.
  • To evaluate the validity of common assumptions in quantum system-bath dynamics modeling.

Main Methods:

  • Development and application of two distinct theoretical methods to analyze system-bath quantum evolution.
  • Focus on unitary evolution, a fundamental description of quantum dynamics.
  • Analysis of the impact of factorized initial system-bath states on cooling outcomes.

Main Results:

  • A fundamental constraint on cooling dynamics is identified, limiting the achievable cooling.
  • It is proven impossible to reach the ground state of a system coupled to a thermal environment via unitary evolution if the initial state is factorized.
  • The limitations of common approaches like master equations and Kraus operator methods are highlighted when applied to ground-state cooling scenarios.

Conclusions:

  • The assumption of factorized initial states in system-bath dynamics is shown to be a critical limitation for ground-state cooling.
  • Researchers should exercise caution when using standard methods for ground-state or near-ground-state cooling analysis.
  • This work establishes a fundamental theorem that constrains quantum cooling in realistic thermal environments.