Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
9789639 Physica E: Low-dimensional Systems and Nanostructures 2005 8 Pages PDF
Abstract
The minimum work principle states that work done on a thermally isolated equilibrium system is minimal for the adiabatically slow (reversible) realization of a given process. This principle, one of the formulations of the second law, is studied here for finite (possibly large) quantum systems interacting with macroscopic sources of work. It is shown to be valid as long as the adiabatic energy levels do not cross. If level crossing does occur, counterexamples are discussed, showing that the minimum work principle can be violated and that optimal processes are neither adiabatically slow nor reversible.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Materials Science Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
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