Quantum measurement of work in mesoscopic systems

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Varma, Anant Vijay, Cohen, Doron
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Varma, Anant Vijay
Cohen, Doron
author_facet Varma, Anant Vijay
Cohen, Doron
contents Heat and work in thermodynamics refer to the measurement of changes in energy content of external bodies (baths and agents). We discuss the implications of quantum mechanics on the possibility to measure work in a mesoscopic context. The agent is a quantum entity (say an oscillator) that is used to drive the system. An obvious limitation is related to back-reaction, leading to a classical-like restriction. We find that in order to resolve fingerprints of interference an additional quantum uncertainty limitation should be taken into account in the design of the agent. The quantum limitation is fundamental, and cannot be relaxed by super-resolution techniques.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2507_09977
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Quantum measurement of work in mesoscopic systems
Varma, Anant Vijay
Cohen, Doron
Quantum Physics
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Heat and work in thermodynamics refer to the measurement of changes in energy content of external bodies (baths and agents). We discuss the implications of quantum mechanics on the possibility to measure work in a mesoscopic context. The agent is a quantum entity (say an oscillator) that is used to drive the system. An obvious limitation is related to back-reaction, leading to a classical-like restriction. We find that in order to resolve fingerprints of interference an additional quantum uncertainty limitation should be taken into account in the design of the agent. The quantum limitation is fundamental, and cannot be relaxed by super-resolution techniques.
title Quantum measurement of work in mesoscopic systems
topic Quantum Physics
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.09977