Dimer as a challenge to the second law

A simple system consisting of an asymmetric dimer cooperating with two baths is presented as a challenge to the second law of thermodynamics. This requires specific coupling of the dimer to the baths and a specific thermodynamic regime.Received: 22 March 2003, Published online: 4 August 2003PACS: 05.30.-d Quantum statistical mechanics - 05.70.-a Thermodynamics This articles has been submitted by V. Capek a few weeks before he passed away and it is presumably his last paper. It has been edited by D.P. Sheehan (University of San Diego, USA).