Quantum limits to the second law and breach of symmetry

Abstract

Connection between an intrinsic breach of symmetry of equilibrium motion and violation of the second law is accentuated. An intrinsic breach only of clockwise - counter-clockwise symmetry of a circular equilibrium motion can be logical under equilibrium conditions, whereas a breach of right-left symmetry should be always an actual violation of the second law. The reader's attention is drawn to experimental evidence of an intrinsic breach of the clockwise - counter-clockwise symmetry of a circular equilibrium motion, well known as the persistent current. The persistent current is observed in mesoscopic normal metal, semiconductor and superconductor loops and the clockwise - counter-clockwise symmetry is broken because of the discrete spectrum of the permitted states of quantum charged particles in a closed loop. The quantum oscillations of the dc voltage observed on a segment of an asymmetric superconducting loop is experimental evidence of the intrinsic breach of the right-left symmetry and an actual violation of the second law.