Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 14, 2025

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Beyond the Lindblad master equation: Heat, work, and energy currents in boundary-driven spin chains
Luís H Reis1, Saulo H S Silva1, Emmanuel Pereira1
1Departamento de Física-Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, CP 702, 30.161-970 Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil.
Abstract:
We consider accurate investigation of the energy current and its components, heat and work, in some boundary-driven quantum spin systems. The expressions for the currents, as well as the associated Lindblad master equation, are obtained via a repeated interaction scheme. We consider small systems in order to analytically compute the steady distribution to study the current in the steady state. Asymmetrical XXZ and quantum Ising models are detailed analyzed. For the XXZ chain we present cases in which different compositions of heat and work currents, obtained via the repeated interaction protocol, lead to the same energy current, which may be obtained via the Lindblad master equation. For the quantum Ising chain, we describe a case of zero energy current and novanishing heat and work currents. Our findings make clear that to talk about heat in these boundary-driven spin quantum systems we must go beyond an investigation involving only the Lindblad master equation.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Overview
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Relaxation Processes
Magnetostatic Boundary Conditions
Spin–Spin Coupling Constant: Overview
Qualitatively, any spin plus-half nucleus polarizes the spins of its electrons to the minus-half state. Consequently, the paired electron in the hydrogen–carbon bond must...
Boundary Conditions for Current Density

