Combining energy efficiency and quantum advantage in cyclic machines

Waner Hou, Wanchao Yao, Xingyu Zhao, Kamran Rehan (), Yi Li, Yue Li, Eric Lutz (), Yiheng Lin () and Jiangfeng Du ()
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Waner Hou: University of Science and Technology of China
Wanchao Yao: University of Science and Technology of China
Xingyu Zhao: University of Science and Technology of China
Kamran Rehan: University of Science and Technology of China
Yi Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Yue Li: University of Science and Technology of China
Eric Lutz: University of Stuttgart
Yiheng Lin: University of Science and Technology of China
Jiangfeng Du: University of Science and Technology of China

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Energy efficiency and quantum advantage are two important features of quantum devices. We here report an experimental realization that combines both features in a quantum engine coupled to a quantum battery that stores the produced work, using a single ion in a linear Paul trap. We begin by establishing the quantum nature of the device by observing nonclassical work oscillations with the number of cycles as verified by energy measurements of the battery. We moreover apply shortcut-to-adiabaticity techniques to suppress quantum friction and improve work production. While the average energy cost of the shortcut protocol is only about 3%, the work output is enhanced by up to approximately 33%, making the machine significantly more energy efficient. We additionally show that the quantum engine consistently outperforms its classical counterpart in this regime. Our results pave the way for energy efficient machines with quantum-enhanced performance.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60179-5

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