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Work extraction from single-mode thermal noise by measurements: How important is information?
Avijit Misra1, Tomáš Opatrný2, Gershon Kurizki3
1AMOS and Department of Chemical and Biological Physics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel and International Center of Quantum Artificial Intelligence for Science and Technology (QuArtist) and Department of Physics, Shanghai University, 200444 Shanghai, China.
Physical Review. E
|December 23, 2022
Summary
This study explores how information influences work extraction in quantum systems. Measuring a small part of the input is the most effective way to convert thermal noise into useful work.
Area of Science:
- Quantum mechanics
- Thermodynamics
- Information theory
Background:
- Investigating the interplay between work and information in quantum systems is crucial for understanding energy conversion.
- Minimal quantum-mechanical setups offer a controlled environment to study fundamental principles of thermodynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the relationship between work and information in a quantum heat-to-work converter.
- To determine how information can act as a resource or be redundant for work extraction.
- To optimize work extraction strategies using acquired information and analyze efficiency-power trade-offs.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a minimal quantum-mechanical setup with hot and cold oscillator modes.
- Comparing different measurement strategies for work extraction efficiency and power limitations.
- Allowing for the cost of information erasure and analyzing nonselective measurements.
Main Results:
- Extraction of work by observation and feedforward, measuring only a fraction of the input, is advantageous.
- Different measurement strategies yield varying work extraction efficiencies and power limitations.
- The cost of information erasure is considered in the analysis.
Conclusions:
- Optimized homodyning provides a method for efficient work extraction from quantum systems.
- The findings suggest practical strategies for converting thermal noise to useful work in optical, optomechanical, and photovoltaic devices.
