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Main Authors: Maciel, Pedro Linck, Bernardes, Nadja Kolb
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.22064
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author Maciel, Pedro Linck
Bernardes, Nadja Kolb
author_facet Maciel, Pedro Linck
Bernardes, Nadja Kolb
contents Open quantum systems interact with their environment, leading to nonunitary dynamics. We investigate the thermodynamics of linear Open Quantum Walks (OQWs), a class of quantum walks whose dynamics is entirely driven by the environment. We define an equilibrium temperature, identify a population inversion near a finite critical value of a control parameter, analyze the thermalization process, and develop the statistical mechanics needed to describe the thermodynamical properties of linear OQWs. We also study nonequilibrium thermodynamics by analyzing the time evolution of entropy, energy, and temperature, while providing analytical tools to understand the system's evolution as it converges to the thermalized state. We examine the validity of the second and third laws of thermodynamics in this setting. Finally, we employ these developments to shed light on dissipative quantum computation within the OQW framework.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2601_22064
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Thermodynamics of linear open quantum walks
Maciel, Pedro Linck
Bernardes, Nadja Kolb
Quantum Physics
Open quantum systems interact with their environment, leading to nonunitary dynamics. We investigate the thermodynamics of linear Open Quantum Walks (OQWs), a class of quantum walks whose dynamics is entirely driven by the environment. We define an equilibrium temperature, identify a population inversion near a finite critical value of a control parameter, analyze the thermalization process, and develop the statistical mechanics needed to describe the thermodynamical properties of linear OQWs. We also study nonequilibrium thermodynamics by analyzing the time evolution of entropy, energy, and temperature, while providing analytical tools to understand the system's evolution as it converges to the thermalized state. We examine the validity of the second and third laws of thermodynamics in this setting. Finally, we employ these developments to shed light on dissipative quantum computation within the OQW framework.
title Thermodynamics of linear open quantum walks
topic Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.22064