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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 19, 2026

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators

Published on: May 30, 2014

Using a quantum work meter to test non-equilibrium fluctuation theorems.

Federico Cerisola^1,2, Yair Margalit³, Shimon Machluf⁴

¹Departamento de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires Ciudad Universitaria, 1428, Buenos Aires, Argentina. cerisola@df.uba.ar.

Nature Communications

|November 3, 2017

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a quantum work meter using cold atoms to measure work and its probability distribution in quantum thermodynamics. This tool verifies quantum fluctuation theorems and the quantum Jarzynski identity.

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Last Updated: Feb 19, 2026

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Area of Science:

Quantum Thermodynamics
Statistical Mechanics
Atomic Physics

Background:

Work is fundamental in classical thermodynamics but challenging to define in the quantum regime.
For driven, isolated quantum systems, work is a random variable linked to internal energy changes.
Work probability distributions are key to quantum thermodynamics' fluctuation theorems.

Purpose of the Study:

To design and implement a quantum work meter for measuring work and its probability distribution.
To directly sample work distributions in quantum systems.
To experimentally verify quantum fluctuation theorems, including the quantum Jarzynski identity.

Main Methods:

Utilized an ensemble of cold atoms controlled by an atom chip.
Developed a quantum work meter device.
Measured work as a random variable associated with energy changes.
Sampled the probability distribution of work.

Main Results:

Successfully designed and implemented a quantum work meter.
Demonstrated direct measurement of work and its probability distribution.
Verified the validity of the quantum Jarzynski identity using the developed device.

Conclusions:

The quantum work meter is a novel tool for probing quantum thermodynamics.
Direct measurement of work distributions provides insights into system behavior, even out of equilibrium.
Experimental validation of the quantum Jarzynski identity confirms theoretical predictions.