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Coherence Manipulation in Asymmetry and Thermodynamics
Tulja Varun Kondra1,2, Ray Ganardi2, Alexander Streltsov2,3
1Institute for Theoretical Physics III, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstraße 1, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Physical Review Letters
|June 3, 2024
Summary
Quantum thermodynamics explores state transformations using free energy. We show that combining free energy with catalysis can amplify quantum coherence and suppress system-catalyst correlations, advancing general quantum thermodynamics laws.
Area of Science:
- Quantum thermodynamics
- Statistical mechanics
- Quantum information theory
Background:
- Classical thermodynamics is governed by free energy and the second law.
- Quantum systems allow for coherence, a resource independent of free energy.
- Previous work restored the second law in quantum mechanics by ignoring coherence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of coherence as an independent resource in quantum thermodynamics.
- To understand the restrictions coherence imposes on quantum state transformations.
- To develop a more general framework for quantum thermodynamics.
Main Methods:
- Isolating and analyzing the nature of quantum coherence.
- Assuming access to a source of free energy alongside a catalytic system.
- Studying the interplay between free energy, coherence, and catalysis.
Main Results:
- Quantum coherence can be arbitrarily amplified when free energy and catalysis are available.
- Correlations between quantum systems and catalysts can be arbitrarily suppressed.
- Demonstrated a method to overcome limitations imposed by coherence on state transformations.
Conclusions:
- Coherence acts as a distinct resource in quantum thermodynamics, independent of free energy.
- The interplay of free energy and catalysis provides a pathway to manipulate quantum coherence.
- These findings represent a significant step towards a comprehensive theory of quantum thermodynamics.
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