title: Role of the superposition principle for enhancing the efficiency of the quantum-mechanical Carnot engine.
abstract: The role of the superposition principle is discussed for the quantum-mechanical Carnot engine introduced by Bender, Brody, and Meister [J. Phys. A 33, 4427 (2000)]. It is shown that the efficiency of the engine can be enhanced by the superposition of quantum states. A finite-time process is also discussed and the condition of the maximum power output is presented. Interestingly, the efficiency at the maximum power is lower than that without superposition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Engineering, Mie University, Mie 514-8507, Japan.
authors.forename: Sumiyoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Shinji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Okuyama
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004735:Energy Transfer; D008956:Models, Chemical; D013816:Thermodynamics