Underdamped stochastic heat engine at maximum efficiency

Abstract

We investigate the performance of an underdamped stochastic heat engine for a time-dependent harmonic oscillator. We analytically determine the optimal protocol that maximizes the efficiency at fixed power. The maximum efficiency reduces to the Curzon-Ahlborn formula at maximum power and the Carnot formula at zero power. We further establish that the efficiency at maximum power is universally given by the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency in the weakly damped regime. Finally, we show that even small deviations from operation at maximum power may result in a significantly increased efficiency.