Quantum dissipation and friction attributed to plasmons

In this paper, we computed quantum friction of two parallel metal plates separated by a small distance moving with constant relative velocity [Formula: see text]. The plasmons as the internal degrees of freedom living on the two plates are coupled to a vacuum field in the gap between the two plates. We got the in–out quantum action which contained all the dynamical information of the system. Furthermore, we associated the imaginary part of the in–out quantum action with dissipation and frictional force. For the case of dispersionless plasmons, the imaginary part of the in–out quantum action is strongly suppressed as [Formula: see text]. The frictional force exhibits the same feature as [Formula: see text]. The difference is that the frictional force increases as [Formula: see text] and decreases as [Formula: see text]. For the case of dispersive plasmons, there is a threshold for the imaginary part of the in–out quantum action and the frictional force, that is, there is no dissipation when the relative velocity [Formula: see text] is not big enough. We gave a classical argument of the existence of the threshold, and this argument matched the mathematical results.

Motion-Induced Radiation Due to an Atom in the Presence of a Graphene Plane

We study the motion-induced radiation due to the non-relativistic motion of an atom, coupled to the vacuum electromagnetic field by an electric dipole term, in the presence of a static graphene plate. After computing the probability of emission for an accelerated atom in empty space, we evaluate the corrections due to the presence of the plate. We show that the effect of the plate is to increase the probability of emission when the atom is near the plate and oscillates along a direction perpendicular to it. On the contrary, for parallel oscillations, there is a suppression. We also evaluate the quantum friction on an atom moving at constant velocity parallel to the plate. We show that there is a threshold for quantum friction: friction occurs only when the velocity of the atom is larger than the Fermi velocity of the electrons in graphene.

Quantum Finite-Time Thermodynamics: Insight from a Single Qubit Engine

Incorporating time into thermodynamics allows for addressing the tradeoff between efficiency and power. A qubit engine serves as a toy model in order to study this tradeoff from first principles, based on the quantum theory of open systems. We study the quantum origin of irreversibility, originating from heat transport, quantum friction, and thermalization in the presence of external driving. We construct various finite-time engine cycles that are based on the Otto and Carnot templates. Our analysis highlights the role of coherence and the quantum origin of entropy production.

Optimal Ecological Performance Investigation of a Quantum Harmonic Oscillator Brayton Refrigerator

A model for the quantum Brayton refrigerator that takes the harmonic oscillator system as the working substance is established. Expressions of cooling load, coefficient of performance (COP), and ecological function are derived. With numerical illustrations, the optimal ecological performance is investigated. At the same time, effects of heat leakage and quantum friction are also studied. For the case with the classical approximation, the optimal ecological performance, and effects of heat leakage and quantum friction are also investigated. For both general cases and the case with classical approximation, the results indicate that the ecological function has a maximum. The irreversible losses decrease the ecological performance, while having different effects on the optimal ecological performance. For the case with classical approximation, numerical calculation with friction coefficient μ = 0.02 and heat leakage coefficient Ce = 0.01 shows that the cooling load (RE) at the maximum ecological function is 6.23% smaller than the maximum cooling load (Rmax). The COP is also increased by 12.1%, and the exergy loss rate is decreased by 27.6%. Compared with the maximum COP state, the COP (ɛE) at the maximum ecological function is 0.55% smaller than the maximum COP (ɛmax) and that makes 7.63% increase in exergy loss rate, but also makes 6.17% increase in cooling load and 6.20% increase in exergy output rate.