Work Generation from Thermal Noise by Quantum Phase-Sensitive Observation

We put forward the concept of work extraction from thermal noise by phase-sensitive (homodyne) measurements of the noisy input followed by (outcome-dependent) unitary manipulations of the postmeasured state. For optimized measurements, noise input with more than one quantum on average is shown to yield heat-to-work conversion with efficiency and power that grow with the mean number of input quanta, the efficiency and the inverse temperature of the detector. This protocol is shown to be advantageous compared to common models of information and heat engines.

Automated summary

The concept of extracting work from thermal noise through phase-sensitive measurements and unitary manipulations is proposed, showing improved efficiency and power with greater average quantum input. This protocol proves to be advantageous compared to traditional models of information and heat engines.