Superconducting-like Heat Current: Effective Cancellation of Current-Dissipation Trade-Off by Quantum Coherence

Area of Science:

• Quantum thermodynamics
• Quantum information science
• Energy conversion

Background:

• Quantum coherence enhances quantum dynamics speed and reduces irreversibility.
• Coherence's role in thermodynamic processes, especially nanoscale energy conversion, remains unclear.
• Classical mechanics limitations in quantum information processing.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish a universal framework for coherence in thermodynamic processes.
• Clarify how coherence affects speed and irreversibility.
• Provide general rules for coherence's impact on thermodynamic device performance.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Lindblad master equation for thermodynamic process description.
• Developed a universal framework to analyze coherence effects.
• Constructed a quantum heat engine cycle for application demonstration.

Main Results:

• Coherence enhances heat current without increasing dissipation, effectively reducing thermodynamic friction.
• Sufficient coherence can lead to virtually zero friction, akin to a "dissipation-less" heat current.
• A quantum heat engine cycle surpassed classical power-efficiency trade-offs, approaching Carnot efficiency with finite power.

Conclusions:

• Coherence offers significant advantages for thermodynamic processes, reducing friction and improving efficiency.
• The framework provides a general relation between coherence, energy flow, and dissipation.
• Applications span quantum information theory, biology, and energy science, particularly in quantum heat engines.