Overcoming the Quasi-Static Bottleneck: A Finite-Time Quantum Otto Information Engine Achieving Near-Unity Efficiency

Abstract:Generally, quantum heat engines driven by Gibbs reservoirs achieve their maximum work and efficiency only in quasi-static processes, a constraint that hampers practical applications due to the resulting vanishing power output. To address this fundamental limitation, we propose a finite-time quantum Otto information engine (OIE) driven by a Maxwell's demon paired with a single Gibbs reservoir. We demonstrate that the demon's measurement and feedback control can preserve quantum coherence to extract coherent work, while harnessing quantum internal friction as a work source. Consequently, the OIE can produce work by only modulating the eigenstates of the Hamiltonian, and surpass the quasi-static limits of its conventional counterpart in the work output and the efficiency, which accounts for the energetic cost of the demon. Notably, the OIE can achieve near-perfect efficiency alongside positive work extraction in the rapid-driving regime.

arXiv:2609.22821 [quant-ph]

(or arXiv:2609.22821v1 [quant-ph] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2609.22821 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

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