Anomalous heat transfer in nonequilibrium quantum systems
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Anomalous heat transfer (AHT), a process by which heat spontaneously flows from a cold system into a hot one, superficially contradicts the Clausius statement of the second law of thermodynamics. Here we provide a full classification of mechanisms of AHT in nonequilibrium quantum systems from a quantum-information perspective. For initial states in local equilibrium, we find that AHT can arise from three resources: initial correlation, intrasystem interaction, and intrasystem temperature inhomogeneity. In particular, for qubit systems, we prove that initial quantum coherence is necessary for AHT if the intersystem interactions are limited to the two-body type. We explicitly show AHT dominated by each of the mechanisms in a three-qubit system. Our classification scheme may offer a guideline for developing high-efficiency quantum autonomous thermal machines.
Source: Physical Review Research
Authors: Teng Ma, Jing-Ning Zhang, Yuan-Sheng Wang, Hong-Yi Xie, Man-Hong Yung
Language: English
Subfield: Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,625
Funders: University of Oklahoma, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, Science, Technology and Innovation Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, Economy, Trade and Information Commission of Shenzhen Municipality, Special Project for Research and Development in Key areas of Guangdong Province
OpenAlex ID: W4407956596