Non-equilibrium steady-states of memoryless quantum collision models
Abstract
We investigate the steady state properties arising from the open system dynamics described by a memoryless (Markovian) quantum collision model, corresponding to a master equation in the ultra-strong coupling regime. By carefully assessing the work cost of switching on and off the system-environment interaction, we show that only a coupling Hamiltonian in the energy-preserving form drives the system to thermal equilibrium, while any other interaction leads to non-equilibrium steady states that are supported by steady-state currents. These currents provide a neat exemplification of the housekeeping work and heat. Furthermore, we characterize the specific form of system-environment interaction that drives the system to a steady-state exhibiting coherence in the energy eigenbasis, thus, giving rise to families of states that are non-passive.
- Publication:
-
Physics Letters A
- Pub Date:
- August 2020
- DOI:
- 10.1016/j.physleta.2020.126576
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2001.01723
- Bibcode:
- 2020PhLA..38426576G
- Keywords:
-
- Open quantum systems;
- Quantum thermodynamics;
- Collision models;
- Nonequilibrium systems;
- Quantum Physics;
- Condensed Matter - Statistical Mechanics
- E-Print:
- 11 pages, 3 figures. Substantially revised and expanded in v2