Geometric foundations of thermodynamics in the quantum regime

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Tejero, Álvaro, de la Rosa, Martín
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Tejero, Álvaro
de la Rosa, Martín
author_facet Tejero, Álvaro
de la Rosa, Martín
contents In this work, we present a geometrical formulation of quantum thermodynamics based on contact geometry and principal fiber bundles. The quantum thermodynamic state space is modeled as a contact manifold, with equilibrium Gibbs states forming a Legendrian submanifold that encodes the fundamental thermodynamic relations. A principal fiber bundle over the manifold of density operators distinguishes the quantum state structure from thermodynamic labels: its fibers represent non-equilibrium configurations, and their unique intersections with the equilibrium submanifold enforce thermodynamic consistency. Quasistatic processes correspond to minimizing geodesics under the Bures-Wasserstein metric, leading to minimal dissipation, while the divergence of geodesic length toward rank-deficient states geometrically derives the unattainability aspect of the third law. Non-equilibrium extensions, formulated through pseudo-Riemannian metrics and connections on the principal bundle, introduce curvature-induced holonomy that quantifies a geometric source of irreversibility in cyclic processes. In this framework, the thermodynamic laws in the quantum regime emerge naturally as geometric consequences.
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id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2511_10125
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Geometric foundations of thermodynamics in the quantum regime
Tejero, Álvaro
de la Rosa, Martín
Mathematical Physics
Differential Geometry
Quantum Physics
In this work, we present a geometrical formulation of quantum thermodynamics based on contact geometry and principal fiber bundles. The quantum thermodynamic state space is modeled as a contact manifold, with equilibrium Gibbs states forming a Legendrian submanifold that encodes the fundamental thermodynamic relations. A principal fiber bundle over the manifold of density operators distinguishes the quantum state structure from thermodynamic labels: its fibers represent non-equilibrium configurations, and their unique intersections with the equilibrium submanifold enforce thermodynamic consistency. Quasistatic processes correspond to minimizing geodesics under the Bures-Wasserstein metric, leading to minimal dissipation, while the divergence of geodesic length toward rank-deficient states geometrically derives the unattainability aspect of the third law. Non-equilibrium extensions, formulated through pseudo-Riemannian metrics and connections on the principal bundle, introduce curvature-induced holonomy that quantifies a geometric source of irreversibility in cyclic processes. In this framework, the thermodynamic laws in the quantum regime emerge naturally as geometric consequences.
title Geometric foundations of thermodynamics in the quantum regime
topic Mathematical Physics
Differential Geometry
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.10125