Efficiency at maximum power output of quantum heat engines under finite-time operation (1111.5077v2)

Abstract: We study the efficiency at maximum power, $\eta_m$, of irreversible quantum Carnot engines (QCEs) that perform finite-time cycles between a hot and a cold reservoir at temperatures $T_h$ and $T_c$, respectively. For QCEs in the reversible limit (long cycle period, zero dissipation), $\eta_m$ becomes identical to Carnot efficiency $\eta_{C}=1-\frac{T_c}{T_h}$. For QCE cycles in which nonadiabatic dissipation and time spent on two adiabats are included, the efficiency $\eta_m$ at maximum power output is bounded from above by $\frac{\eta{C}}{2-\eta{C}}$ and from below by $\frac{\eta{C}}2$. In the case of symmetric dissipation, the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency $\eta{_{CA}}=1-\sqrt{\frac{T_c}{T_h}}$ is recovered under the condition that the time allocation between the adiabats and the contact time with the reservoir satisfy a certain relation.