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Finite-time thermodynamics for a single-level quantum dot

M. Esposito1,2, R. Kawai3, K. Lindenberg2 and C. Van den Broeck4

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We investigate the finite-time thermodynamics of a single-level fermion system interacting with a particle reservoir. The optimal protocol to extract the maximum work from the system when moving the single energy level between an initial higher value and a final lower value in a finite time is calculated from a quantum master equation. The calculation also yields the optimal protocol to raise the energy level with the expenditure of the least amount of work on the system. The optimal protocol displays discontinuous jumps at the initial and final times.


PACS

05.30.-d Quantum statistical mechanics

05.20.-y Classical statistical mechanics

05.70.Ln Nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics

Subjects

Quantum gases, liquids and solids

Statistical physics and nonlinear systems

Dates

Issue 2 (January 2010)

Received 21 September 2009, accepted for publication 21 December 2009

Published 1 February 2010



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