Non-linear Onsager relations for Gaussian quantum maps

Abstract

Onsager's relations allow one to express the second law of thermodynamics in terms of the underlying associated currents. These relations, however, are usually valid only close to equilibrium. Using a quantum phase space formulation of the second law, we show that open bosonic Gaussian systems also obey a set of Onsager relations, valid arbitrarily far from equilibrium. These relations, however, are found to be given by a more complex non-linear function, which reduces to the usual quadratic form close to equilibrium. This non-linearity implies that far from equilibrium, there exists a fundamental asymmetry between entropy flow from system to bath and vice-versa. The ramifications of this for applications in driven-dissipative quantum optical setups are also discussed.