Quasi-probability distribution of work in a measurement-based quantum Otto engine

Chayan Purkait, Shubhrangshu Dasgupta and Asoka Biswas

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 2025, vol. 673, issue C

Abstract: We study the work statistics of a measurement-based quantum Otto engine, where quantum non-selective measurements are used to fuel the engine, in a coupled spin working system. The working system exhibits quantum coherence in the energy eigenbasis at the beginning of a unitary work extraction stage in the presence of inter-spin anisotropic interaction. We demonstrate that the quasi-probability of certain values of stochastic work can be negative, rendering itself akin to the quasi-probability distribution found in phase space. This can be attributed to the interference terms facilitated by quantum coherence. Additionally, we establish that coherence can improve the average work in finite time. Subsequently, we compare the work distribution with that of a quantum Otto engine that operates between two heat baths in a conventional setting. We find that, because of the absence of quantum coherence, the quasi-probability of stochastic work cannot be negative in a standard quantum Otto engine.

Keywords: Quantum thermodynamics; Quantum heat engines; Quantum measurements; Quasi-probability distribution; Full counting statistics; Spin systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:673:y:2025:i:c:s0378437125003024

DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2025.130650

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