Quantum Thermodynamic Processes ─ Energy and Information Flow at the Nanoscale

The point of departure of this book is the triad of themes: information, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics. These are related: thermodynamics and quantum mechanics form the basis of quantum thermodynamics, information, and quantum mechanics underlying, inter alia, the notorious quantum measurement problem, information, and thermodynamics, which have much to say about control limits in the transition region between micro- and macro-descriptions.

Why does the world around us typically look thermal—from cosmology down to individual embedded spins? Do informational measures constitute additional (independent) parameters beyond physical ones? Is the transition between mechanical and thermal systems gradual or discontinuous? Pertinent examples can be found in various processes implemented on small quantum systems. Particularly attractive are model systems that can be treated thermodynamically, but—to some extent—also exactly, for example based on pure quantum dynamics. This possibility opens the door to nano-thermodynamics. In this sense, the book aims at a modern perspective of nanoscale applications, defined as a potential realization of various functions as constrained by given resources.

Gunter Mahler obtained his doctorate in theoretical physics in 1972 and habilitation in theoretical physics in 1977 from the University of Regensburg, Germany. Since 1978, he was professor of theoretical physics at Institut fur Theoretische Physik I, Universitat Stuttgart, Germany, from where he retired in 2011. From 2004 to 2010, he was dean for international studies at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Universitat Stuttgart. Prof. Mahler’s research interests include quantum system theory, quantum stochastics, quantum networks, quantum control, quantum measurement and sensorics, quantum information processing, quantum thermodynamics and quantum transport, and quantum thermodynamical machines.