Foundations of quantum thermodynamics

热力学的标准范例是一个与热储弱耦合的系统。该理论的两个中心量是功和热，从中可以推导出熵和自由能。因此，熵的第二定律在限制从系统中提取的有用功的数量方面起着关键作用。最近，热力学的这些基础在量子体系中受到了挑战。对弱耦合、热储层、吉布斯分布和唯一熵等关键假设进行了挑战和放宽。此外，概念上的问题，如如何正确地在理论上定义和实验测量的功和热在量子制度已经出现。公平地说，这些问题今天都没有得到令人满意的解决。这个项目将着手制定一个简洁的量子热力学理论，汇集了最近制定的广泛的图片和思维方式。因此，它的目的是确定这个研究股赖以存在的基础。

The standard paradigm of thermodynamics is that of a system weakly coupled to a thermal reservoir. The two central quantities of the theory are work and heat from which entropy and free energies can be derived. The second law for the entropy then plays a pivotal role in limiting the amount of useful work that may be extracted from the system. Lately, these very foundations of thermodynamics have been challenged in the quantum regime. Key assumptions such as weak coupling, thermal reservoirs, Gibbs distribution and a unique entropy have been challenged and relaxed. Furthermore, conceptual issues such as how to properly theoretically define and experimentally measure work and heat in the quantum regime have emerged. It is fair to say that none of these problems have been satisfactorily solved today.This project will set out to formulate a concise theory of quantum thermodynamics, bringing together a wide range of pictures and mindsets that were formulated recently. It hence aims at settling the foundations on which this Research Unit rests.