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Quantum refrigeration powered by noise in a superconducting circuit
Simon Sundelin1, Mohammed Ali Aamir2, Vyom Manish Kulkarni2
1Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden. simsunde@chalmers.se.
Nature Communications
|January 26, 2026
Summary
Researchers harnessed dephasing noise to create a quantum refrigerator. This noise-assisted quantum transport enables steady-state cooling of microwave modes in a superconducting circuit.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Thermodynamics
- Superconducting Circuits
- Quantum Information Science
Background:
- Dephasing noise typically degrades quantum device performance.
- Quantum thermal machines offer novel ways to utilize noise.
- Superconducting circuits provide a platform for quantum simulations and devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a three-level thermal machine utilizing noise-assisted quantum transport.
- To achieve steady-state cooling of microwave modes.
- To experimentally validate quantum heat engine and refrigerator principles.
Main Methods:
- Engineered a three-level superconducting artificial molecule.
- Coupled the molecule to two physical heat baths (microwave waveguides with quasithermal radiation).
- Injected dephasing noise to enable energy transport and control heat flow.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated steady-state cooling of microwave modes.
- Observed energy flow dynamics consistent with a quantum heat engine, thermal accelerator, and refrigerator.
- Measured photonic heat currents with sub-attowatt resolution.
Conclusions:
- Successfully demonstrated a noise-assisted three-level quantum refrigerator.
- Validated the use of dephasing noise as a resource for quantum thermal machines.
- Opened new experimental avenues for quantum thermodynamics with superconducting circuits.
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