Realizing a quantum energy advantage using nanoscale heat engines

Unlike their macroscopic counterparts, quantum devices are highly sensitive to fluctuations, whether they may be quantum or thermal.

Interestingly, these fluctuations can provide sensitive information about the relation between work, heat, and entropy thus generating vital insights into fundamental thermodynamic principles at the nanoscale.

Furthermore, if harnessed, these fluctuations could be used to produce power in quantum devices.This four-year, experimental project will provide the first investigations of the recently-developed thermodynamic uncertainty relations (TURs) in nanoscale heat engines, seeking to harness fluctuations to prove an energetic quantum advantage over classical heat engines and further provide proof-of-concept groundwork for heat-management schemes in quantum technologies where waste heat generated during quantum operations could be converted into useful electrical energy.The project is led by the PI, includes one PhD student and benefits from ongoing collaborations for support in theory and material growth.

We begin by investigating TURs using heat gradients applied across single quantum dot engines.

We will then expand to double quantum dot heat engines, which further allow studies of heat coupled directly to the device center.

Finally, the project extends beyond material-defined quantum dot devices to include versatile, gate-induced structures enabling full tunability to optimize performance.