Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025
09:23
Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
Published on: May 30, 2014
14.6K
Operational Constraints in Quantum Otto Engines: Energy-Gap Modulation and Majorization
Sachin Sonkar1, Ramandeep S Johal1
1Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Sector 81, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar P.O. Box 140306, Punjab, India.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2025
Summary
Quantum Otto engines using three-level systems (3LS) can achieve enhanced efficiency. Engine feasibility and operation depend on energy gap modulation and majorization of probability distributions.
Area of Science:
- Quantum thermodynamics
- Statistical mechanics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Quantum heat engines offer potential for high efficiency.
- Understanding the role of working medium properties is crucial for engine performance.
- Three-level systems (3LS) provide a non-trivial platform for quantum engine analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the performance of a quantum Otto engine with a three-level system (3LS) working medium.
- To investigate the impact of energy gap modulation and probability distribution changes on engine efficiency.
- To explore the conditions for feasibility and operating regimes of a 3LS quantum Otto engine.
Main Methods:
- Detailed analysis of a generic three-level system (3LS) as the working medium.
- Derivation of operating regimes based on energy gap modulation during the quantum adiabatic stage.
- Application of majorization theory to understand the role of probability distributions.
Main Results:
- A three-level quantum Otto engine is feasible when at least one energy gap shrinks during the first quantum adiabatic stage.
- Majorization of probability distributions is a key factor in determining engine operation and efficiency.
- Enhanced Otto efficiency is achieved when probability distributions satisfy the majorization condition.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive analysis of a 3LS quantum Otto engine.
- Energy gap modulation and majorization are critical for optimizing quantum engine performance.
- The developed formalism is applicable to other quantum engine designs, such as swap engines.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Otto and Diesel Cycle
2.2K
An Otto engine is a four-stroke engine that uses a mixture of gasoline and air as the working fuel. The fuel is injected into the cylinder, and the piston is moved completely down so that the cylinder is at maximum volume. By moving the piston up, adiabatic compression takes place. The spark plug ignites the gasoline-air mixture, and the burning fuel adds heat to the system at a constant volume. The heated mixture expands adiabatically and gets further cooled by exhausting heat, and this cyclic...
2.2K
02:45The Quantum-Mechanical Model of an Atom
47.3K
Shortly after de Broglie published his ideas that the electron in a hydrogen atom could be better thought of as being a circular standing wave instead of a particle moving in quantized circular orbits, Erwin Schrödinger extended de Broglie’s work by deriving what is now known as the Schrödinger equation. When Schrödinger applied his equation to hydrogen-like atoms, he was able to reproduce Bohr’s expression for the energy and, thus, the Rydberg formula governing hydrogen spectra.
47.3K
03:25Free Energy Changes for Nonstandard States
11.7K
The free energy change for a process taking place with reactants and products present under nonstandard conditions (pressures other than 1 bar; concentrations other than 1 M) is related to the standard free energy change according to this equation:
where R is the gas constant (8.314 J/K·mol), T is the absolute temperature in kelvin, and Q is the reaction quotient. This equation may be used to predict the spontaneity of a process under any given set of conditions.
Reaction Quotient...
where R is the gas constant (8.314 J/K·mol), T is the absolute temperature in kelvin, and Q is the reaction quotient. This equation may be used to predict the spontaneity of a process under any given set of conditions.
Reaction Quotient...
11.7K
01:17Ampere-Maxwell's Law: Problem-Solving
774
A parallel-plate capacitor with capacitance C, whose plates have area A and separation distance d, is connected to a resistor R and a battery of voltage V. The current starts to flow at t = 0. What is the displacement current between the capacitor plates at time t? From the properties of the capacitor, what is the corresponding real current?
To solve the problem, we can use the equations from the analysis of an RC circuit and Maxwell's version of Ampère's law.
For the first part of...
To solve the problem, we can use the equations from the analysis of an RC circuit and Maxwell's version of Ampère's law.
For the first part of...
774
01:14Conservation of Energy in Control Volume
913
Consider a turbine operating under steady-flow conditions. The control volume is drawn around the turbine, with fluid entering at one point and exiting at another. The turbine extracts energy from the fluid, which performs mechanical work (shaft work).
For steady flow systems, the time derivative of the stored energy becomes zero since there is no energy accumulation within the control volume. This simplifies the energy equation to:
For steady flow systems, the time derivative of the stored energy becomes zero since there is no energy accumulation within the control volume. This simplifies the energy equation to:
913
02:35Molecular Orbital Theory I
33.1K
Overview of Molecular Orbital Theory
33.1K