The general expressions of heat and work in two representations of quantum mechanics

By employing two representations of quantum mechanics, the general expressions of heat and work are derived. Quantum coherence associated with the superpositions of basis vectors in the two representations has been demonstrated to be essential in thermodynamics. The power is completely generated by the coherence work in the spin precession process, while the heat is mainly determined by the coherence heat in the spontaneous emission process. The results develop a fundamental framework to find thermodynamic relations in quantum evolution processes.& COPY; 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

The general expressions of heat and work are derived using two representations of quantum mechanics. Quantum coherence, associated with the superposition of basis vectors, is shown to be essential in thermodynamics. Coherence work generates the power in the spin precession process, while coherence heat mainly determines the heat in the spontaneous emission process. These results establish a fundamental framework for finding thermodynamic relations in quantum evolution processes.