260070 VU Foundations of mesoscopic engines - from classical to quantum (2024W)

AIM OF THE COURSE
Thermodynamics is an incredibly powerful theory, as it allows to describe incredibly complex systems from the perspective of how useful they are. In recent times, the fundamental origin of thermodynamics has been found in its (stochastic) microscopic description. In this course, we tackle thermodynamics again, but from a utilitiaristic approach: how well can we "do stuff" (for example, operate a small engine, or transmit information, or predict the future) in three very different domains: microscopic, quantum and finally purely from an information theory perspective.

On the mesoscopic level, thermodynamic engines need to operate in a completely different regime than their well-known macroscopic counterparts. In fact, when the scale goes down, uncontrollable noise becomes of the same magnitude of the controlled forces acting on the system. Investigating these new concepts is part of the broader field of stochastic and quantum thermodynamics.

On the quantum level, the lack of complete knowledge about the system properties becomes unavoidable, so even defining quantities like work and heat is counterintuitive. We will give an operative approach on how to deal with it, and still get something useful out of that description.

On the information level, we will explore the link between information and thermodynamics, both at the classical and at the quantum level. We will find out how entropy can be used do describe not only the "disorder" of a system, but also the amount of information it can carry. We will even tackle a little bit of the thermodynamics of ChatGPT.

Here, you will understand some of the open questions and current literature of the broad field of quantum thermodynamics, and I will put an emphasis on connecting the theoretical concepts we will see with state-of-the-art experiments.

OUTLINE OF THE COURSE

Thermodynamics at the macroscopic scale
Principles of stochastic thermodynamics
Fluctuation theorems
From stochastic to quantum thermodynamics
Quantum entropy production and measurement of work
Quantum heat engines
Work extraction and engines with batteries
Thermodynamics of computation
(Quantum) Landauer Principle

METHODS

The course follows parts of the provided textbook (see Reading list) with significant additions from online lectures and scientific articles that are provided in the course, that will enable you to prepare and revisit the lectures.
The major part of the content of the course will be presented by the lecturer partially in a flipped classroom style, partially as classic lecture (blackboard/slides) with ample time for questions and discussions in either case.
Home exercises will enable you to test your understanding and actively work with the new concepts. Literature assignments relate the learned concepts to the current literature and our joint discussions are also meant to train your skills in efficiently processing their content.
The modality of the course will be in person, with flexibility for online streaming if necessary.

Dear course participants,

Artificial intelligence (AI, such as "ChatGPT") can be a helpful tool to complement the creative process and independent thinking. In this course, I want to encourage you to keep a critical approach in this regard. Thus,
1. I will add on Moodle material on AI related copyright on text and images and usage rules, please read them!
2. When you use AI, please tell me. We want to know how it supported your creative and logical process.
3. Question the gained information thoroughly
These rules apply throughout the course, including all additional project work related to the course."

https://wiki.univie.ac.at/display/TEM/Legal+issues+regarding+the+use+of+AI+tools