Multiple entropy production for multitime quantum processes

Abstract

Entropy production and the detailed fluctuation theorem are of fundamental importance for thermodynamic processes. In this paper, we study the multiple entropy production for multitime quantum processes in a unified framework. For closed quantum systems and Markovian open quantum systems, the given entropy productions all satisfy the detailed fluctuation relation. This also shows that the entropy production rate under these processes is non-negative. For non-Markovian open quantum systems, the memory effect can lead to a negative entropy production rate. Thus, in general, the entropy production of the marginal distribution does not satisfy the detailed FT relation. Our framework can be applied to a wide range of physical systems and dynamics. It provides a systematic tool for studying entropy production and its rate under arbitrary quantum processes.