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Nonequilibrium thermodynamics in cavity optomechanics
Jiteng Sheng1,2,3, Cheng Yang1, Haibin Wu1,2,4
1State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China.
Fundamental Research
|June 27, 2024
Summary
Nonequilibrium thermodynamics in cavity optomechanical systems offers a new framework for studying small, fluctuating systems. Recent advances highlight experimental results in entropy production, fluctuation theorems, heat transfer, and heat engines.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- Classical thermodynamics excels for equilibrium systems.
- Nonequilibrium thermodynamics addresses systems far-from-equilibrium, especially small, fluctuating ones.
- Cavity optomechanical systems are promising for studying nonequilibrium thermodynamics due to controllability and quantum regime operation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of recent advances in nonequilibrium thermodynamics using cavity optomechanical systems.
- To highlight experimental progress in key areas of nonequilibrium thermodynamics.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing cavity optomechanical systems as experimental platforms.
- Investigating systems operating far-from-equilibrium and in the quantum regime.
Main Results:
- Experimental assessment of entropy production.
- Verification of fluctuation theorems.
- Studies on heat transfer and heat engines in nonequilibrium conditions.
Conclusions:
- Cavity optomechanical systems are powerful tools for exploring fundamental aspects of nonequilibrium thermodynamics.
- Recent experiments demonstrate significant progress in understanding entropy, fluctuations, and energy conversion in quantum systems.
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