Performance analysis of quantum harmonic Otto engine and refrigerator under a trade-off figure of merit

Abstract

We investigate the optimal performance of quantum Otto engine and refrigeration cycles of a time-dependent harmonic oscillator under a trade-off figure of merit for both adiabatic and nonadiabatic (sudden-switch) frequency modulations. For heat engine (refrigerator), the chosen trade-off figure of merit is an objective function defined by the product of efficiency (coefficient of performance) and work output (cooling load), thus representing a compromise between them. We obtain analytical expressions for the efficiency and coefficient of performance of the harmonic Otto cycle for the optimal performance of the thermal machine in various operational regimes. Particularly, in the sudden-switch regime, we discuss the implications of the nonadiabatic driving on the performance of the thermal machine under consideration, and obtain analytic expressions for the maximum achievable efficiency and coefficient of performance of the harmonic Otto thermal machine. Further, by carrying out a detailed comparative analysis of the heat engine operating under the chosen trade-off objective function with one operating at maximum work output, we show that the trade-off objective functions have desirable operation only for the adiabatic driving whereas for the sudden switch operation, the choice of a trade-off objective function does not make much difference as the performance of the engine is dominated by frictional effects.