[KW An's Group] A photonic quantum engine driven by superradiance
Performance of nano- and microscale heat engines can be improved with the help of quantum-mechanical phenomena. Recently, heat reservoirs with quantum coherence have been proposed to enhance engine performance beyond the Carnot limit even with a single reservoir. However, no physical realizations have been achieved so far. Here we report the first proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of a photonic quantum engine driven by superradiance employing a single heat reservoir composed of atoms and photonic vacuum. Reservoir atoms prepared in a quantum coherent superposition state underwent superradiance as they traversed the cavity. This led to about 40-fold increase in the effective engine temperature, resulting in near-unity engine efficiency. Moreover, the observed engine output power grew quadratically with respect to the atomic injection rate. Our work can be utilized in quantum-mechanical heat transfer as well as in boosting engine powers, opening a pathway to the development of photomechanical devices that run on quantum coherence embedded in heat baths.
Authors: Jinuk Kim, Seung-hoon Oh, Daeho Yang , Junki Kim, Moonjoo Lee and Kyungwon An
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-022-01039-2
Authors: Jinuk Kim, Seung-hoon Oh, Daeho Yang , Junki Kim, Moonjoo Lee and Kyungwon An
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-022-01039-2