title: Quantum thermodynamics: a nonequilibrium Green's function approach.
abstract: We establish the foundations of a nonequilibrium theory of quantum thermodynamics for noninteracting open quantum systems strongly coupled to their reservoirs within the framework of the nonequilibrium Green's functions. The energy of the system and its coupling to the reservoirs are controlled by a slow external time-dependent force treated to first order beyond the quasistatic limit. We derive the four basic laws of thermodynamics and characterize reversible transformations. Stochastic thermodynamics is recovered in the weak coupling limit.
authors.affiliation: Complex Systems and Statistical Mechanics, Physics and Materials Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, L-1511 Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esposito
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla California 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Maicol A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla California 92093, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Galperin