Finite time thermodynamic analysis of quantum Otto heat engine with squeezed thermal bath

We investigate the finite time performance of reciprocating quantum Otto heat engine coupled to squeezed hot reservoir. We emphasize the converged limit cycle where each stroke is performed in finite time. To fully exploit the quantum availability provided by the squeezed bath, an optimal frequency protocol in the work extraction stroke is explicitly proposed. The power output is optimized with respect to the hot and cold isochore times. Thermodynamic analysis shows that for a wide range of squeezing parameters, efficiency at maximum power exceeds the generalized Curzon–Ahlborn efficiency defined by the effective temperature of the squeezed bath.     

Thermoelectricity without absorbing energy from the heat sources

We analyze the power output of a quantum dot machine coupled to two electronic reservoirs via thermoelectric contacts, and to two thermal reservoirs – one hot and one cold. This machine is a nanoscale analogue of a conventional thermocouple heat-engine, in which the active region being heated is unavoidably also exchanging heat with its cold environment. Heat exchange between the dot and the thermal reservoirs is treated as a capacitive coupling to electronic fluctuations in localized levels, modeled as two additional quantum dots. The resulting multiple-dot setup is described using a master equation approach. We observe an “exotic” power generation, which remains finite even when the heat absorbed from the thermal reservoirs is zero (in other words the heat coming from the hot reservoir all escapes into the cold environment). This effect can be understood in terms of a non-local effect in which the heat flow from heat source to the cold environment generates power via a mechanism which we refer to as Coulomb heat drag. It relies on the fact that there is no relaxation in the quantum dot system, so electrons within it have a non-thermal energy distribution. More poetically, one can say that we find a spatial separation of the first-law of thermodynamics (heat to work conversion) from the second-law of thermodynamics (generation of entropy). We present circumstances in which this non-thermal system can generate more power than any conventional macroscopic thermocouple (with local thermalization), even when the latter works with Carnot efficiency.     

Reprint of : Thermoelectricity without absorbing energy from the heat sources

We analyze the power output of a quantum dot machine coupled to two electronic reservoirs via thermoelectric contacts, and to two thermal reservoirs – one hot and one cold. This machine is a nanoscale analogue of a conventional thermocouple heat-engine, in which the active region being heated is unavoidably also exchanging heat with its cold environment. Heat exchange between the dot and the thermal reservoirs is treated as a capacitive coupling to electronic fluctuations in localized levels, modeled as two additional quantum dots. The resulting multiple-dot setup is described using a master equation approach. We observe an “exotic” power generation, which remains finite even when the heat absorbed from the thermal reservoirs is zero (in other words the heat coming from the hot reservoir all escapes into the cold environment). This effect can be understood in terms of a non-local effect in which the heat flow from heat source to the cold environment generates power via a mechanism which we refer to as Coulomb heat drag. It relies on the fact that there is no relaxation in the quantum dot system, so electrons within it have a non-thermal energy distribution. More poetically, one can say that we find a spatial separation of the first-law of thermodynamics (heat to work conversion) from the second-law of thermodynamics (generation of entropy). We present circumstances in which this non-thermal system can generate more power than any conventional macroscopic thermocouple (with local thermalization), even when the latter works with Carnot efficiency.     

Molecular dynamics study of the stability of a carbon nanotube atop a catalytic nanoparticle

The effect of spontaneously generated coherence (SGC) on the quantum heat engine (QHE) consisting of a laser system is studied in terms of its dynamical evolution and the generation of coherences. The QHE is coupled to the two thermal photon reservoirs, a squeezed thermal bath as well as to a cavity mode. The coherence associated with the transition interacting with squeezed reservoir and the average thermal photon number of the hot (as well as cold) reservoir shows a non monotonous behavior between them. The dynamics along with generated coherences of the system and the laser power emitted depend sensitively on the hot, cold and squeezed reservoir parameters.     

一维晶格中费曼棘齿-棘爪热机

研究了一维晶格中费曼棘齿-棘爪热机模型. 用粒子的概率主方程来描述粒子在晶格中的动力学特性, 推导出热流、 功率和效率的表达式. 通过数值计算分析势垒高度、 外力和温比对热流以及热机功率和效率的影响. 研究表明: 在粒子稳态概率流为零时, 存在非零的热流从高温库流入低温库, 类似于经典不可逆卡诺模型中的热漏; 热漏的存在使得热机的效率远远小于卡诺效率, 功率与效率之间为闭合的关系曲线, 热机为不可逆热机; 对热机性能参数进行优化, 可以使热机工作在最优性能状态下.     

温库边界对布朗热机性能的影响

研究了单势垒锯齿势中,布朗粒子在外力和空间周期温度场作用下构成的布朗热机的热力学性能.考虑布朗粒子动能变化以及高、低温库之间热漏引起的热流.用Smoluchowski方程描述粒子在黏性介质中的动力学特性,推导出高、低温库的热流以及热机功率和效率的解析表达式.通过数值计算分析势垒高度、外力和温库边界对热机性能的影响.研究表明:由于动能变化和热漏引起的不可逆热流的存在,布朗热机为不可逆热机,热机的功率效率特性为一闭合的关系曲线;势垒边界与温库边界重合时,热机的功率达到最大值;通过改变温库边界的位置,可以在一定范围内提高热机的效率,但同时减小了热机的输出功率.     

Gaussian interferometric power and Black box estimation of Unruh temperature

We present a black box estimation paradigm of Unruh temperature in a relativistic bosonic continuous-variable setting. It is shown that the guaranteed precision for the estimation of Unruh temperature can be evaluated by the Gaussian interferometric power for a given probe state. We demonstrate that the amount of interferometric power is always beyond the entanglement type quantum correlations in a relativistic setting. It is found that due to the fact that Unruh radiation acts as a thermal bath on the probe system, it destroys available resources of the probe system and reduces the guaranteed precision of the estimation of Unruh temperature. We also find that the thermal noise induced by Unruh effect will generate interferometric power between accelerated Bob and his auxiliary partner anti-Bob, while it does not generate any correlation between inertial Alice and anti-Bob.     

Spectral response of the intrinsic region of a GaAs–InAs quantum dot solar cell considering the absorption spectra of ideal cubic dots

Recently, attempts have been made by some researchers to improve the efficiency of quantum dot solar cells by incorporating different types of quantum dots. In this paper, the photocurrent density has been obtained considering the absorption spectra of ideal cubic dots. The effects of quantum dot size dispersion on the spectral response of the intrinsic region of a GaAs–InAs quantum dot solar cell have been studied. The dependence of the spectral response of this region on the size of quantum dots of such solar cell has also been investigated. The investigation shows that for smaller quantum dot size dispersion, the spectral response of the intrinsic region of the cell increases significantly. It is further observed that by enlarging the quantum dot size it is possible to enhance the spectral response of such solar cells as it causes better match between absorption spectra of the quantum dots and the solar spectrum. These facts indicate the significant role of quantum dot size and size dispersion on the performance of such devices. Also, the power conversion efficiency of such solar cell has been studied under 1 sun, AM 1.5 condition.     

Nd∶YVO4/Nd∶GdVO4双波长激光器的功率均衡实验研究

实验研究了Nd∶YVO4/Nd∶GdVO4双波长激光器在不同抽运功率条件下,通过调节热沉温度达到功率均衡时的输出特性.实验结果表明:对于Nd∶YVO4/Nd∶GdVO4双波长激光器,当提高抽运功率,需要重新降低热沉温度达到功率均衡输出,降温幅度与抽运功率增加之比为11.23℃/W.与此同时,随着抽运功率和热沉温度的变化,双波长激光器的中心波长会出现小幅度的漂移,左峰波长随抽运功率增加的蓝移速率为0.056 nm/W,右峰波长随抽运功率增加的蓝移速率为0.054 nm/W.实验还发现功率均衡条件下激光器的输出总功率随抽运功率的增加而增加,拟合斜效率为8.7%,当抽运功率为5.58 W时,输出最大总功率达到115.7 mW.     

An analysis of quantum coherent solar photovoltaic cells

A new hypothesis (Scully et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 108 (2011) 15097) suggests that it is possible to break the statistical physics-based detailed balance-limiting power conversion efficiency and increase the power output of a solar photovoltaic cell by using “noise-induced quantum coherence” to increase the current. The fundamental errors of this hypothesis are explained here. As part of this analysis, we show that the maximum photogenerated current density for a practical solar cell is a function of the incident spectrum, sunlight concentration factor, and solar cell energy bandgap and thus the presence of quantum coherence is irrelevant as it is unable to lead to increased current output from a solar cell.     

不同泵浦光下Nd:GdVO4晶体输出特性

为研究808 nm和879 nm两种泵浦光对Nd:GdVO4晶体激光输出特性的影响,并比较两种不同波长泵浦所得连续输出光的效率高低,分析了Nd:GdVO4晶体的能级结构和两种泵浦光作用下的激光输出特性,发现在879 nm也有较强的吸收峰.用808 nm和879 nm两种不同波长泵浦Nd:GdVO4晶体的过程是不同的,808 nm泵浦是一种间接方式能量转移的过程,在此过程中有明显的热负载产生.而879 nm泵浦是将粒子直接激励到激光辐射上能级,降低无辐射弛豫过程产生的热量.从理论上可知,879 nm的泵浦量子效率要高于808 nm的泵浦量子效率,对减少晶体的热产生有很强的优势.实验中采用激光二极管端面泵浦Nd:GdVO4晶体直腔方案,研究了两种不同泵浦光泵浦Nd:GdVO4晶体以获得1 063 nm的连续光,得到了两种光抽运时的斜效率,发现在同样实验条件下,879 nm泵浦的输出光斜效率在小功率泵浦时略高于808 nm|而在大功率泵浦的情况下明显高于808 nm,最高达到38%.同时,在808 nm抽运时,实验上获得了1 341 nm波长的激光,为光通讯的应用提供了一种光源.     

Thermodynamic Performance Characteristics of a Brownian MicroscopicHeat Engine Driven by Discrete and Periodic Temperature Field

A Brownian microscopic heat engine with a particle hopping on a one-dimensional lattice driven by a discrete and periodic temperature field in a periodic sawtooth potential is investigated. In order to clarify the underlying physical pictures of the heat engine, the heat flow via the potential energy and the kinetic energy of the particles are considered simultaneously. Based on describing the jumps among the three states, the expressions of theefficiency and power output of the heat engine are derived analytically. The general performance characteristic curves are plotted by numerical calculation. It is found that the power output-efficiency curve is a loop-shaped one, which is similar to one for a real irreversible heat engine. The influence of the ratioof the temperature of the hot and cold reservoirs and the sawtooth potential on the maximum efficiency and power output is analyzed forsome given parameters. When the heat flows via the kinetic energy isneglected, the power output-efficiency curve is an open-shaped one,which is similar to one for an endroeversible heat engine.     

聚光光强对光伏电池阵列输出性能的影响

基于槽式聚光热电联供系统,深入分析晶硅电池阵列和砷化镓电池阵列在高倍聚光下的输出特性及输出功率的影响因素.研究结果表明,聚光光强下砷化镓电池阵列输出性能优于晶硅电池阵列,高光强会导致光伏电池禁带宽度变窄,短路电流成倍增加,增加输出功率,但同时耗尽层复合率变大,开路电压降低,制约阵列的输出功率;高光强还引起电池温度升高,电池阵列串联内阻增加.分析表明聚光作用下电池阵列串联内阻对输出功率影响巨大,串联内阻从0 Ω增加1 Ω,四种电池阵列输出功率分别损失67.78%,74.93%,77.30%和58.01%. 关键词： 热电联供 太阳电池阵列 串联内阻 输出功率     

半导体温差发电过程的模型分析与数值仿真

本文提出一种新型的半导体温差发电模型,在温差发电过程的数值模拟中考虑了热电单元之间封闭腔体内空气传热的影响.同时进一步运用有限元的数值计算方法对不同电臂对数和不同型号温差发电模型的温度场、电压场进行了数值仿真计算,并对仿真结果进行分析.结果表明:采用127对热电单元模型计算的能量转换效率随冷热端温差增大而迅速提高,与采用1对热电单元模型计算的能量转换效率之差从冷热端温差为20℃的0.39%提高到冷热端温差为220℃时的5.16%,能量转换效率比1对热电单元平均高出3.02%.冷端温度恒定在30℃时,温差发电芯片的输出电压、功率以及能量转换效率均随着电偶臂的横截面积的增大而提高,且电偶臂冷热两端的温差越大提高幅度也越大,而温差发电芯片内阻则与电偶臂横截面积成反比关系,当温差为220℃时对应的输出功率最高达28.9 W.     

Solar pumped Nd:YAG laser

We report the high efficiency of solar pumped laser. The sunlight is concentrated by the concentrator system, which is composed by the Fresnel lens and the cone-channel condenser. The power density of sunlight concentrated by the concentrator system surpasses the lasing threshold for pumping laser. In the experiment, the sunlight concentrated is coupled into the conical chamber pumping Nd:YAG laser media. Laser output of 3.5 W has been achieved; the collect efficiency is 3.5 W/m². The conversion efficiency is 1.0% from solar power into laser, and the slope efficiency is achieved 1.86%.     

高掺杂浓度掺镱光纤的光子暗化效应

采用光纤激光器和放大器结构方案，观察到了高浓度掺镱光纤（YDF）的光子暗化（Photo-darkening）现象.对激光器阈值和输出功率、放大器输出谱的测量结果表明，光子暗化效应导致了高掺杂浓度YDF的功率转换效率随泵浦作用时间的增加而下降，且下降为单调不可逆过程，但随着泵浦时间的增加，这种下降逐渐变缓、功率转换效率最终可趋于稳定.     

The optimum pumping power for optically pumped FIR lasers

The relations between the output power of optically pumped FIR laser and the pumping power were studied theoretically by solving the density matrix equation of four-level system by means of the matrix signal flow graph method. The output power density of FIR laser was calculated by iteration method. A set of curves of output FIR power density against pumping power has been obtained. It has found that every of each curve has a maximum point of which the position is different for different pumping detuning. According the these results we predicted that there would exist an optimum pumping power density for an optically pumped FIR laser with certain pumping detuning. This theoretical results would help us to design the optically pumped FIR lasers.     

Bilayer ZnO nanostructure fabricated by chemical bath and its application in quantum dot sensitized solar cell

Chemical bath method was used to synthesize bilayer ZnO nanostructure on ITO glass in the alkaline solution. As revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the product consists of a layered structure of ZnO nanorods at the bottom and nanoflower atop. The as-prepared sample was assembled in quantum dot sensitized solar cell (QDSSC), which obtained the incident photon to current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 15% at 400 nm and power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 0.45%. Therefore, this novel bilayer ZnO nanostructure has the potential for application in solar cell device as the photoelectrode.     

High efficiency solar cells using quantum interferences

In this paper, we propose a solar cell model that absorbs specific band of sunlight and investigate the effect of noise–induced quantum coherence in enhancing the output power of this cell. We numerically demonstrate that such induced coherence can increase the maximum output power from a nano structured solar cell by more than 25% as compared to the same system with no coherence. We also study the influence of increasing the bandwidth of absorption on the solar cell power and numerically show that in spite of decrease in output power due to enhancement of thermalisation loss, presence of quantum coherence effect still increases the output power of solar cell compared to non-coherence case.     

读出效率对光与原子纠缠产生的影响

在光与原子纠缠态产生中,自旋波读出效率是影响纠缠质量的一个重要因素.本文在实验和理论上研究了读出效率与纠缠质量(Bell参量)的关系.实验上利用~(87)Rb冷原子系综中的自发Raman散射过程产生了光与原子量子纠缠.通过改变读光功率或OD (光学厚度),实现了读出效率的变化.在此基础上,研究了光与原子纠缠质量(Bell参量)随读出效率变化的关系.该实验将为高保真度的光与原子纠缠产生提供帮助.