Universität Wien

260018 VO Quantum Thermodynamics II (2018W)

2.50 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 26 - Physik
Moodle

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).
Register/Deregister for this course

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 03.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien (Kickoff Class)
  • Wednesday 10.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 17.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 24.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 31.10. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 07.11. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 14.11. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 21.11. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 28.11. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 05.12. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 12.12. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 09.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 16.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 23.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien
  • Wednesday 30.01. 16:00 - 17:30 Erwin-Schrödinger-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, 5. Stk., 1090 Wien

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

Goal of the lecture is an in-depth exploration of thermodynamics at the quantum scale. The reversible nature of quantum evolution and the superposition principle bring about challenges for the thermodynamic laws as we know them. Furthermore, in classical physics, information theory is intrinsically tied to thermodynamic considerations through Maxwell’s demon and Landauer’s principle, which raises the question of how these considerations generalise to the quantum domain.
The content of the lecture spans the quantum mechanical origin of the second law using equilibration under reversible (unitary) dynamics, the modeling of open quantum systems and the resulting description of quantum machines and finally foundational questions of definitions of work and the interplay of quantum information and thermodynamics.

Assessment and permitted materials

Oral exam with the lecturers at the end of the semester.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Successful exam, displaying conceptual understanding of the topics covered in the lecture.

Examination topics

Notions of equilibration, Master equations (Born and Markov approximations, optical master equation), Quantum channels, The three qubit refrigerator, Sideband cooling, the laws of quantum thermodynamics

Reading list

The role of quantum information in thermodynamics --- a topical review, J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 49, 143001 (2016) [Open Access]
Equilibration, thermalisation, and the emergence of statistical mechanics in closed quantum systems, Rep. Prog. Phys. 79, 056001 (2016)
[Open Access link: https://arxiv.org/abs/1503.07538]

Association in the course directory

MaG 18, MaV 5, M-VAF A 2, M-VAF B

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:40