Quantum Thermodynamics
Wednesday, May 7th, 2014New European venture on Quantum Thermodynamics: How are the fundamental laws of thermodynamics modified when reaching atomic scales?
Scientists from 7 universities in 6 European countries have joined in a EU-funded network called TherMiQ to investigate fundamental and applied phenomena of thermodynamics in quantum systems. Thermodynamics is the study of energy transformation, for example in electricity production, engines, heat pumps and refrigerators.
The overarching question that the project will address is: how are the fundamental laws of thermodynamics modified when reaching atomic scales? In this scenario it is quantum mechanics that governs the motion of tiny particles, such as atoms, electrons and photons, and therefore new, surprising behaviours are expected. The second, more applied, issue concerns the design and efficiency of microscopic engines made of a few particles. Can the laws of quantum mechanics be employed to reach higher efficiencies than in the classical domain?
To answer these questions, the project will combine expertise from theoretical and experimental groups. The latter will design and realise experiments demonstrating such fundamental issues and build quantum engines made of a small number of quantum systems.
The Quantumoptics group at ETH Zurich led by Tilman Esslinger has joined the consortium TherMiQ that has been awarded more than 2.0 million euros from the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Union. The Quantumoptics group will in particular perform experiments on the thermodynamics of a quantum gas coupled to photons confined in an optical resonator. This experimental setting allows for the realization and investigation of novel phase transitions.
For more information visit the project website: thermiq2.eu
