Trapped-ion toolbox to simulate quantum Otto heat engines

Abstract

We present a scheme that utilizes an ion confined within a bi-dimensional trap to simulate a quantum Otto heat engine whose working substance is a two-level system. In this scheme, the electronic component of the ion (the two-level system) can interact with effective heat reservoirs of different types. We specifically focus on effective thermal reservoirs (those with positive temperatures), effective heat reservoirs with apparent negative temperatures, and effective squeezed thermal reservoirs. We show how to generate these effective reservoirs and provide numerical results to illustrate the applicability of the presented scheme. Finally, considering the same types of effective heat reservoirs, we briefly discuss the simulation of a quantum Otto heat engine where a quantum harmonic oscillator serves as the working substance.