Quantum Confinement and Negative Heat Capacity

Abstract

Thermodynamics dictates that the specific heat of a system is strictly non-negative. However, in finite classical systems there are well known theoretical and experimental cases where this rule is violated, in particular finite atomic clusters. Here, we show for the first time that negative heat capacity can also occur in finite quantum systems. The physical scenario on which this effect might be experimentally observed is discussed. Observing such an effect might lead to the design of new light harvesting nano devices, in particular a solar nano refrigerator.