Work

Thermodynamic decoupling in the deep-strong coupling regime

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In the deep-strong coupling (DSC) regime, the interaction between light and matter exceeds their bare frequencies, leading to an effective decoupling. Theoretical and experimental evidence for this behavior has relied solely on measurements of local observables at equilibrium. However, such a local approach is insufficient to accurately describe energy fluxes in critical and nonequilibrium phenomena. Here, we use a two-terminal quantum junction to derive a thermodynamically consistent global master equation. We demonstrate that the associated heat current, a key nonlocal observable in any quantum thermal machine, also approaches zero in this extreme coupling scenario, underscoring the role of virtual photons in the vacuum ground state. Our results indicate that the decoupling is a more general feature of the DSC regime, with implications for quantum thermotronics.

Source: Journal of Physics Photonics

DOI: 10.1088/2515-7647/ae1649

Authors: S Palafox, M Salado-Mejía, M Santiago-García, R Román-Ancheyta

Institutions: National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics and Electronics, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Language: English

Topic: Strong Light-Matter Interactions

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,700

Funder: Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México