Nonequilibrium Many-Body Quantum Engine Driven by Time-Translation Symmetry Breaking

Area of Science:

• Quantum physics
• Thermodynamics
• Condensed matter physics

Background:

• Quantum many-body systems out of equilibrium exhibit complex phenomena.
• The technological applications of these emergent behaviors are largely unexplored.
• Understanding quantum engines is crucial for developing new quantum technologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of collective effects on quantum engines.
• To explore the potential of many-body systems in extracting mechanical work.
• To analyze the role of nonequilibrium phase transitions in quantum engine operation.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical investigation using an optomechanical cavity setup.
• Modeling an interacting atomic gas as the working fluid.
• Analyzing the system's behavior under periodic driving and in the absence of driving.

Main Results:

• Quantum engines can produce mechanical work from many-body systems, even without periodic driving.
• Nonequilibrium phase transitions in the working fluid lead to abrupt changes in work output.
• An emergent time-crystalline phase allows the engine to operate by breaking continuous time-translation symmetry.

Conclusions:

• Collective effects in quantum many-body systems can be harnessed for mechanical work extraction.
• The discovery of self-sustaining quantum engines opens new avenues for quantum machine design.
• This research highlights the potential of nonequilibrium quantum phenomena for practical applications.