Tiny quantum engines reveal useful energy hiding in “waste heat”
A tiny machine made from just an atom and particles of light may sound impossibly simple, but it raises a surprisingly difficult question: what counts as heat, and what energy can still do useful work? University of Basel researchers have developed a theoretical framework that brings quantum physics and thermodynamics into better agreement for these microscopic “light engines.”
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a theoretical framework that bridges the gap between thermodynamics and quantum physics, allowing for consistent analysis of microscopic quantum machines. These machines, built from atoms and light particles, can absorb, transform, and release energy, making them useful for quantum technologies.
A key challenge in this field is defining what constitutes heat and what is useful work in such systems. In their study, led by Professor Patrick Potts, researchers examined an atom placed in a cavity between two mirrors, absorbing and emitting light particles while continuously receiving new photons from a laser. They demonstrated that certain energy in the escaping light can be harnessed for useful work, challenging the traditional view that all such energy is considered waste heat.
By treating the light classically in the semi-classical limit, the researchers showed that this distinction between heat and useful energy can emerge naturally from the full quantum thermodynamic description. This finding has potential implications for quantum technologies, as it could help convert seemingly wasted energy into useful resources, such as reducing disturbances in quantum systems and enabling precise measurements.
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