Thermal transport through a single trapped ion under strong laser illumination

Abstract

In this work, we study quantum heat transport in a single trapped ion, driven by laser excitation and coupled to thermal reservoirs operating at different temperatures. Our focus lies in understanding how different laser coupling scenarios impact the system dynamics. As the laser intensity reaches a regime where the ion's electronic and motional degrees of freedom strongly couple, traditional approaches using phenomenological models for thermal reservoirs become inadequate. Therefore, the adoption of the dressed master equation (DME) formalism becomes crucial, enabling a deeper understanding of how distinct laser intensities influence heat transport. Analyzing the heat current within the parameter space defined by detuning and coupling strength, we observe intriguing circular patterns which are influenced by the ion's vibrational frequency and laser parameters, and reveal nuanced relationships between heat transport, residual coherence, and system characteristics. Our study also reveals phenomena such as negative differential heat conductivity and asymmetry in heat current flow, offering insights into the thermal properties of this essential quantum technology setup.