Overview

The theory of thermodynamics has been one of the bedrocks of 19th-century physics, and thermodynamic problems have inspired Planck's quantum hypothesis. One hundred years later, in an era where we design increasingly sophisticated nanotechnologies, researchers in quantum physics have been 'returning to their roots', attempting to reconcile modern nanoscale devices with the theory of thermodynamics. This textbook explains how it is possible to unify the two opposite pictures of microscopic quantum physics and macroscopic thermodynamics in one consistent framework, proving that the ancient theory of thermodynamics still offers many remarkable insights into present-day problems.This textbook focuses on the microscopic derivation and understanding of key principles and concepts and their interrelation. The topics covered in this book include (quantum) stochastic processes, (quantum) master equations, local detailed balance, classical stochastic thermodynamics, (quantum) fluctuation theorems, strong coupling and non-Markovian effects, thermodynamic uncertainty relations, operational approaches, Maxwell's demon, and time-reversal symmetry, among other topics.The textbook also explores several practical applications of the theory in more detail, including single-molecule pulling experiments, quantum transport and thermoelectric effects in quantum dots, the micromaser, and related setups in quantum optics.The aim of this book is to inspire readers to investigate a plethora of modern nanoscale devices from a thermodynamic point of view, allowing them to address their dissipation, efficiency, reliability, and power based on a conceptually clear understanding about the microscopic origin of heat, entropy, and the second law. The book is accessible to graduate students, post-docs, and lecturers, but will also be of interest to all researchers striving for a deeper understanding of the laws of thermodynamics beyond their traditional realm of applicability.

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9780198931584

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Reviews

Strasberg offers a valuable contribution to the field of thermodynamics, a discipline that provides the underpinnings for analyzing quantum systems. The book will be ideal as a required text for a graduate-level technical elective. It can also be a useful resource for researchers employed in high-tech industries and as a reference for graduate research students in physics and engineering with major interests in developing efficient, cost-effective future generation technologies, e.g., the new generation of thermoelectric power generators. * Raymond Laoulache, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Professor of Mechanical Engineering * A very attractive book covering basic concepts as well as some advanced topics, with worked examples at chapter ends. * Ángel Rivas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid * This coherent presentation of a timely topic is a significant achievement with nothing comparable on the market. * Udo Seifert, University of Stuttgart * Highly welcome by everybody looking for an understandable exposition of the theoretical foundations of a rapidly evolving field. * Andreas Engel, University of Oldenburg * In Quantum Stochastic Thermodynamics, Philip Strasberg has succeeded in giving clarity on an ever evolving and often misleading topic. I am convinced that this book will be the starting point for researchers and graduate students entering the field. It is written in a coherent fashion covering all of the essential material on what I believe, in lieu of the prevalence of imperfect quantum technologies, will become increasingly important. * John Goold, Trinity College, Dublin *

Author Information

Philipp Strasberg is a Ramon y Cajal fellow at the Institute of Physics of Cantabria in Santander working on a wide variety of topics in nonequilibrium quantum statistical mechanics. He completed his PhD in 2015 under the supervision of Tobias Brandes at the Technical University of Berlin, before joining Massimiliano Esposito's group at the University of Luxembourg for two years. From 2018 to 2024, he was supported by independent postdoctoral fellowships to work at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in collaboration with Anna Sanpera and Andreas Winter.

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