Autonomous Implementation of Thermodynamic Cycles at the Nanoscale

There are two paradigms to study nanoscale engines in stochastic and quantum thermodynamics. Autonomous models, which do not rely on any external time dependence, and models that make use of time-dependent control fields, often combined with dividing the control protocol into idealized strokes of a thermodynamic cycle. While the latter paradigm offers theoretical simplifications, its utility in practice has been questioned due to the involved approximations. Here, we bridge the two paradigms by constructing an autonomous model, which implements a thermodynamic cycle in a certain parameter regime. This effect is made possible by self-oscillations, realized in our model by the well-studied electron shuttling mechanism. Based on experimentally realistic values, we find that a thermodynamic cycle analysis for a single-electron working fluid is not justified, but a few-electron working fluid could suffice to justify it. Furthermore, additional open challenges remain to autonomously implement the more studied Carnot and Otto cycles.

Automated summary

There are two paradigms for studying nanoscale engines: autonomous models and models using time-dependent control fields. While the latter offers theoretical simplifications, its practical utility has been questioned. By constructing an autonomous model, a thermodynamic cycle was implemented in a certain parameter regime, but analysis of a thermodynamic cycle for a single-electron working fluid is not justified. Further challenges remain in autonomously implementing the more studied Carnot and Otto cycles.