Thermodynamics of hybrid quantum rotor devices

Abstract

We investigate the thermodynamics of a hybrid quantum device consisting of two qubits collectively interacting with a quantum rotor and coupled dissipatively to two equilibrium reservoirs at different temperatures. By modelling the dynamics and the resulting steady state of the system using a collision model, we identify the functioning of the device as a thermal engine, a refrigerator or an accelerator. In addition, we also look into the device's capacity to operate as a heat rectifier, and optimise both the rectification coefficient and the heat flow simultaneously. Drawing an analogy to heat rectification and since we are interested in the conversion of energy into the rotor's kinetic energy, we introduce the concept of angular momentum rectification which may be employed to control work extraction through an external load.