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63873-01 - Lecture: Quantum Thermodynamics (4 CP)

Semester spring semester 2025
Course frequency Every spring sem.
Lecturers Patrick Potts (patrick.potts@unibas.ch, Assessor)
Content The theory of quantum thermodynamics investigates how the concepts of heat, work, and temperature can be carried over to the quantum realm, where fluctuations and randomness are fundamentally unavoidable. This lecture provides an introduction to the thermodynamics of small quantum systems. After illustrating how the laws of thermodynamics emerge from quantum theory we will discuss how open quantum systems can be modeled. We then consider models of quantum systems that are designed to perform a certain task, such as cooling or generating entanglement. Finally, we investigate how fluctuations can be taken into account in a thermodynamic description by extending the laws of thermodynamics.

Preliminary Outline:

I Introduction
------------------
I.1 Basic concepts
I.1.1 Linear algebra
I.1.2 The density matrix
I.1.3 Second quantization
I.2 Information theory

II. Thermodynamic Equilibrium
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II.1 Grand canonical ensemble - the Gibbs state
II.1.1 Subsystem of closed system
II.1.2 Jaynes' maximum entropy principle
II.1.3 Global passivity
II.2 Equivalence of ensembles in the thermodynamic limit

III The Laws of Thermodynamics
--------------------------------------------
III.1 The general scenario
III.2 Entropy production
III.3 The first law of thermodynamics
III.4 The second law of thermodynamics
III.5 The zeroth law of thermodynamics
III.6 The third law of thermodynamics

IV Markovian Master Equations
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IV.1 Nakajima-Zwanzig superoperators
IV.2 Born-Markov approximations
IV.2.1 Example: equilibration of a quantum dot
IV.3 Obtaining GKLS form
IV.3.1 The secular approximation
IV.3.2 The singular coupling limit
IV.3.3 The unified GKLS master equation
IV.3.4 Example: a quantum double dot

V Quantum Thermal Machines
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V.1 A quantum dot heat engine
V.1.1 Master equation
V.1.2 The first law
V.1.3 The second law
V.1.4 Refrigeration
V.2 Entanglement generator
V.2.1 Entanglement
V.2.2 The master equation
V.3 Absorption refrigerator
V.3.1 The master equation
V.3.2 Figures of merit
V.3.3 Perturbation theory
V.3.4 Coherence enhanced cooling

VI Fluctuations
--------------------
VI.1 Fluctuation theorem for a closed system
VI.1.1 The two-point measurement scheme
VI.1.2 The backward experiment
VI.1.3 Fluctuation theorems
VI.2 Fluctuation theorem for the general scenario
VI.2.1 Forward trajectories
VI.2.2 Backward trajectories
VI.2.3 Fluctuation theorems
VI.3 Full counting statistics
VI.3.1 Counting particles
VI.3.2 Example: transport through a quantum dot
VI.3.3 Counting heat and work
VI.4 Thermodynamic uncertainty relations
VI.4.1 Current & current noise
VI.4.2 Application: heat engine

VII Summary

VIII Outlook

 

Language of instruction German
Use of digital media No specific media used

 

Interval Weekday Time Room
wöchentlich Monday 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
wöchentlich Thursday 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12

Dates

Date Time Room
Monday 17.02.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 20.02.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 24.02.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 27.02.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 03.03.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 06.03.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 10.03.2025 08.00-10.00 Fasnachstferien
Thursday 13.03.2025 10.00-12.00 Fasnachstferien
Monday 17.03.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 20.03.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 24.03.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 27.03.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 31.03.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 03.04.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 07.04.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 10.04.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 14.04.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 17.04.2025 10.00-12.00 Ostern
Monday 21.04.2025 08.00-10.00 Ostern
Thursday 24.04.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 28.04.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 01.05.2025 10.00-12.00 Tag der Arbeit
Monday 05.05.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 08.05.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 12.05.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 15.05.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 19.05.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 22.05.2025 10.00-12.00 Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12
Monday 26.05.2025 08.00-10.00 Physik, Alter Hörsaal 2, 1.22
Thursday 29.05.2025 10.00-12.00 Auffahrt
Modules Module Specialisation: Physics (Master's Studies: Nanosciences)
Module: Specialisation (Master's Studies: Physics)
Assessment format continuous assessment
Assessment registration/deregistration Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration
Repeat examination no repeat examination
Scale 1-6 0,5
Repeated registration as often as necessary
Responsible faculty Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch
Offered by Departement Physik

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