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Measuring the heat exchange of a quantum process
John Goold1, Ulrich Poschinger2, Kavan Modi3
1The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy.
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics
|September 13, 2014
Summary
Researchers developed a new method to measure heat distribution in quantum systems using modified phase estimation. This technique, implementable with ion traps, advances quantum thermodynamics and energy-information conversion studies.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Thermodynamics
- Quantum Information Science
Background:
- Interferometric methods offer new ways to measure work statistics in driven quantum systems.
- Phase estimation on an ancilla qubit replaces projective measurements, enabling experimental exploration of quantum thermodynamics.
- Mesoscopic quantum systems are increasingly controllable, driving interest in quantum thermodynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a modified phase estimation protocol for measuring heat distribution in quantum processes.
- To show the feasibility of implementing this scheme using ion trap technology.
- To facilitate experimental studies of the Landauer principle and energy-information conversion.
Main Methods:
- Modification of existing phase estimation protocols.
- Utilizing interferometric techniques with an ancilla qubit.
- Implementation strategy proposed for ion trap systems.
Main Results:
- A novel method to measure the heat distribution of a quantum process is demonstrated.
- The proposed scheme is shown to be implementable using ion trap technology.
- The technique offers an alternative to projective measurements for quantum thermodynamics.
Conclusions:
- The modified phase estimation protocol provides a viable route to experimentally measure heat distribution.
- This work advances the experimental exploration of quantum thermodynamics and the Landauer principle.
- The proposed ion trap implementation paves the way for studying energy-information conversion in mesoscopic quantum systems.
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