Efficiency at maximum power output of quantum heat engines under finite-time operation

Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2012 Mar;85(3 Pt 1):031145. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.85.031145. Epub 2012 Mar 29.

Abstract

We study the efficiency at maximum power, η(m), of irreversible quantum Carnot engines (QCEs) that perform finite-time cycles between a hot and a cold reservoir at temperatures T(h) and T(c), respectively. For QCEs in the reversible limit (long cycle period, zero dissipation), η(m) becomes identical to the Carnot efficiency η(C)=1-T(c)/T(h). For QCE cycles in which nonadiabatic dissipation and the time spent on two adiabats are included, the efficiency η(m) at maximum power output is bounded from above by η(C)/(2-η(C)) and from below by η(C)/2. In the case of symmetric dissipation, the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency η(CA)=1-√(T(c)/T(h)) is recovered under the condition that the time allocation between the adiabats and the contact time with the reservoir satisfy a certain relation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Computer Simulation
  • Energy Transfer*
  • Hot Temperature*
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Quantum Theory*
  • Thermodynamics*