Thermodynamics and efficiency of sequentially collisional Brownian particles: The role of drivings

Abstract

Brownian particles placed sequentially in contact with distinct thermal reservoirs and subjected to external driving forces are promising candidates for the construction of reliable thermal engines. In this contribution, we address the role of driving forces for enhancing the machine performance. Analytical expressions for thermodynamic quantities such as power output and efficiency are obtained for general driving schemes. A proper choice of these driving schemes substantially increases both power output and efficiency and extends the working regime. Maximizations of power and efficiency, whether with respect to the strength of the force, driving scheme or both have been considered and exemplified for two kind of drivings: a generic power-law and a periodically drivings.