Thermodynamics of Gambling Demons

Area of Science:

• Statistical mechanics
• Quantum thermodynamics
• Non-equilibrium systems

Background:

• Understanding and controlling non-equilibrium processes is crucial in statistical mechanics and quantum thermodynamics.
• Stochastic thermodynamics explores the behavior of small systems operating far from equilibrium.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and experimentally realize "gambling demons" that utilize a gambling strategy to halt non-equilibrium processes at random times.
• To derive generalized second-law-like inequalities for average work and universal stopping-time fluctuation relations for classical and quantum systems.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical derivation of thermodynamic inequalities and fluctuation relations.
• Experimental implementation using a single-electron box to study electron tunneling dynamics.
• Analysis of quantum jump trajectories and the role of coherence.

Main Results:

• Demonstration of demons employing a gambling strategy to control stochastic processes.
• Derivation of second-law-like inequalities governing work in gambling scenarios.
• Establishment of universal stopping-time fluctuation relations for non-stationary classical and quantum processes.
• Experimental validation in a single-electron box system.

Conclusions:

• Gambling demons offer a novel approach to controlling and analyzing non-equilibrium stochastic processes.
• The derived inequalities and fluctuation relations provide fundamental insights into thermodynamics.
• Experimental results confirm the theoretical predictions, highlighting the practical applicability.