Maximum one-shot dissipated work from Rényi divergences.

Area of Science:

• Statistical Physics
• Quantum Thermodynamics
• Nonequilibrium Systems

Background:

• Classical thermodynamics applies to large, slow systems.
• Modern approaches include fluctuation theorems (finite-time, nonequilibrium) and one-shot statistical mechanics (small scales, finite trials).

Purpose of the Study:

• To combine fluctuation theorems and one-shot statistical mechanics.
• To derive a one-shot analog of average dissipated work.
• To unify tools for small-scale, nonequilibrium statistical physics.

Main Methods:

• Calculated a one-shot analog of average dissipated work.
• Derived one-shot analogs of existing fluctuation theorem equations.
• Utilized order-infinity Rényi divergence.

Main Results:

• Established proportionality between order-infinity Rényi divergence and maximum dissipated work.
• Derived three one-shot analogs of fluctuation theorem results.
• Quantified the cost of finite-time protocols versus quasistatic ones.

Conclusions:

• The derived one-shot analogs contribute to unifying fluctuation theorems and one-shot statistical mechanics.
• Provides new insights into the thermodynamics of small, nonequilibrium systems.
• Advances the understanding of energy costs in finite-time processes.