Making the Virtual Real: Measurement-Powered Tunneling Engines
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arXiv
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| Hauptverfasser: | , , , |
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| Format: | Preprint |
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2025
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| _version_ | 1866908884879278080 |
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| author | Sánchez, Rafael Singh, Alok Nath Jordan, Andrew N. Bhandari, Bibek |
| author_facet | Sánchez, Rafael Singh, Alok Nath Jordan, Andrew N. Bhandari, Bibek |
| contents | Quantum tunneling allows electrons to be transferred between two regions separated by an energetically forbidden barrier. Performing a position measurement that finds a particle in the barrier forces the tunneling electrons to transition from having a classically forbidden energy to an energy above the barrier height. We exploit this effect to define quantum tunneling engines that can use the unconditioned detection of virtually occupied states as a resource for power generation and cooling. Leveraging energy exchange with the detector, we show that the device can operate in a hybrid regime, enabling simultaneous cooling and power generation. Furthermore, we demonstrate measurement-assisted autonomous refrigeration and "checkpoint" cooling driven purely by a thermal bias, without the need for an applied potential. We also find a "purification-by-noise" effect when the measurement drives the system into a stationary dark state. These results underscore the intriguing dual role of measurement as a thermodynamic resource and a dark state generator. |
| format | Preprint |
| id |
arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_22394 |
| institution | arXiv |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| record_format | arxiv |
| spellingShingle | Making the Virtual Real: Measurement-Powered Tunneling Engines Sánchez, Rafael Singh, Alok Nath Jordan, Andrew N. Bhandari, Bibek Quantum Physics Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics Quantum tunneling allows electrons to be transferred between two regions separated by an energetically forbidden barrier. Performing a position measurement that finds a particle in the barrier forces the tunneling electrons to transition from having a classically forbidden energy to an energy above the barrier height. We exploit this effect to define quantum tunneling engines that can use the unconditioned detection of virtually occupied states as a resource for power generation and cooling. Leveraging energy exchange with the detector, we show that the device can operate in a hybrid regime, enabling simultaneous cooling and power generation. Furthermore, we demonstrate measurement-assisted autonomous refrigeration and "checkpoint" cooling driven purely by a thermal bias, without the need for an applied potential. We also find a "purification-by-noise" effect when the measurement drives the system into a stationary dark state. These results underscore the intriguing dual role of measurement as a thermodynamic resource and a dark state generator. |
| title | Making the Virtual Real: Measurement-Powered Tunneling Engines |
| topic | Quantum Physics Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics |
| url | https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.22394 |