Finite-time thermodynamics of port-Hamiltonian systems

In this paper, we identify a class of time-varying port-Hamiltonian systems that is suitable for studying problems at the intersection of statistical mechanics and control of physical systems. Those port-Hamiltonian systems are able to modify their internal structure as well as their interconnection with the environment over time. The framework allows us to prove the First and Second laws of thermodynamics, but also lets us apply results from optimal and stochastic control theory to physical systems. In particular, we show how to use linear control theory to optimally extract work from a single heat source over a finite time interval in the manner of Maxwell's demon. Furthermore, the optimal controller is a time-varying port-Hamiltonian system, which can be physically implemented as a variable linear capacitor and transformer. We also use the theory to design a heat engine operating between two heat sources in finite-time Carnot-like cycles of maximum power, and we compare those two heat engines.Comment: To appear in Physica D (accepted July 2013

Effective Quantum Theories for Transport in Inhomogeneous Systems with Non-trivial Band Structure

Starting from a general $N$-band Hamiltonian with weak spatial and temporal variations, we derive a low energy effective theory for transport within one or several overlapping bands. To this end, we use the Wigner representation that allows us to systematically construct the unitary transformation that brings the Hamiltonian into band-diagonal form. We address the issue of gauge invariance and discuss the necessity of using kinetic variables in order to obtain a low energy effective description that is consistent with the original theory. Essentially, our analysis is a semiclassical one and quantum corrections appear as Berry curvatures in addition to quantities that are related to the appearance of persistent currents. We develop a transport framework which is manifestly gauge invariant and it is based on a quantum Boltzman formulation along with suitable definitions of current density operators such that Liouville's theorem is satisfied. Finally, we incorporate the effects of an external electromagnetic field into our theory.Comment: 22 pages, 2 figure

From canonical Hamiltonian to Port-Hamiltonian modeling application to magnetic shape memory alloys actuators.

International audienceThis paper presents the modelling of an actuator based on Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys (MSMA). The actuation principle relies on the ability of the material to change its shape under the application of a magnetic field. Previous models proposed by authors were based on canonical (symplectic) Hamiltonian modeling and thermodynamics of irreversible processes. These models, though physically cogent, are non-minimal differential algebraic dynamical models and hence less adapted for control purposes.This paper therefore proposes a modified and systemoriented modeling procedure which lends itself naturally to a port-Hamiltonian model. The latter is found to be a minimal realization of the above whereby interconnection between subsystems is clearly visible. Using Lagrange multipliers, constraints which arise due to causality and interconnection are expressed. In the last section, Differential Algebraic Equations (DAE) resulting from previous models are reduced to Ordinary Differential Equations (ODE) and by using coordinate transformations, constraints are decoupled from the system input/output. The resulting model is well-suited for control

Decoherent time-dependent transport beyond the Landauer-B\"uttiker formulation: a quantum-drift alternative to quantum jumps

We present a model for decoherence in time-dependent transport. It boils down into a form of wave function that undergoes a smooth stochastic drift of the phase in a local basis, the Quantum Drift (QD) model. This drift is nothing else but a local energy fluctuation. Unlike Quantum Jumps (QJ) models, no jumps are present in the density as the evolution is unitary. As a first application, we address the transport through a resonant state $\left\vert 0\right\rangle$ that undergoes decoherence. We show the equivalence with the decoherent steady state transport in presence of a B\"{u}ttiker's voltage probe. In order to test the dynamics, we consider two many-spin systems whith a local energy fluctuation. A two-spin system is reduced to a two level system (TLS) that oscillates among $\left\vert 0\right\rangle$ $\equiv$ $\left\vert \uparrow \downarrow \right\rangle$ and $\left\vert 1\right\rangle \equiv$ $\left\vert \downarrow \uparrow \right\rangle$. We show that QD model recovers not only the exponential damping of the oscillations in the low perturbation regime, but also the non-trivial bifurcation of the damping rates at a critical point, i.e. the quantum dynamical phase transition. We also address the spin-wave like dynamics of local polarization in a spin chain. The QD average solution has about half the dispersion respect to the mean dynamics than QJ. By evaluating the Loschmidt Echo (LE), we find that the pure states $\left\vert 0\right\rangle$ and $\left\vert 1\right \rangle$ are quite robust against the local decoherence. In contrast, the LE, and hence coherence, decays faster when the system is in a superposition state. Because its simple implementation, the method is well suited to assess decoherent transport problems as well as to include decoherence in both one-body and many-body dynamics.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Hamilton--Jacobi theory for continuation of magnetic field across a toroidal surface supporting a plasma pressure discontinuity

The vanishing of the divergence of the total stress tensor (magnetic plus kinetic) in a neighborhood of an equilibrium plasma containing a toroidal surface of discontinuity gives boundary and jump conditions that strongly constrain allowable continuations of the magnetic field across the surface. The boundary conditions allow the magnetic fields on either side of the discontinuity surface to be described by surface magnetic potentials, reducing the continuation problem to that of solving a Hamilton--Jacobi equation. The characteristics of this equation obey Hamiltonian equations of motion, and a necessary condition for the existence of a continued field across a general toroidal surface is that there exist invariant tori in the phase space of this Hamiltonian system. It is argued from the Birkhoff theorem that existence of such an invariant torus is also, in general, sufficient for continuation to be possible. An important corollary is that the rotational transform of the continued field on a surface of discontinuity must, generically, be irrational.Comment: Prepared for submission to Phys. Letts.

Berry Phase Effects on Electronic Properties

Ever since its discovery, the Berry phase has permeated through all branches of physics. Over the last three decades, it was gradually realized that the Berry phase of the electronic wave function can have a profound effect on material properties and is responsible for a spectrum of phenomena, such as ferroelectricity, orbital magnetism, various (quantum/anomalous/spin) Hall effects, and quantum charge pumping. This progress is summarized in a pedagogical manner in this review. We start with a brief summary of necessary background, followed by a detailed discussion of the Berry phase effect in a variety of solid state applications. A common thread of the review is the semiclassical formulation of electron dynamics, which is a versatile tool in the study of electron dynamics in the presence of electromagnetic fields and more general perturbations. Finally, we demonstrate a re-quantization method that converts a semiclassical theory to an effective quantum theory. It is clear that the Berry phase should be added as a basic ingredient to our understanding of basic material properties.Comment: 48 pages, 16 figures, submitted to RM

Relativistic quantum measurement

Does the measurement of a quantum system necessarily break Lorentz invariance? We present a simple model of a detector that measures the spacetime localization of a relativistic particle in a Lorentz invariant manner. The detector does not select a preferred Lorentz frame as a Newton-Wigner measurement would do. The result indicates that there exists a Lorentz invariant notion of quantum measurement and sheds light on the issue of the localization of a relativistic particle. The framework considered is that of single-particle mechanics as opposed to field theory. The result may be taken as support for the interpretation postulate of the spacetime-states formulation of single-particle quantum theory.Comment: 9 pages, no figures: Revision: references adde

Proposal for an Optomechanical Traveling Wave Phonon-Photon Translator

In this article we describe a general optomechanical system for converting photons to phonons in an efficient, and reversible manner. We analyze classically and quantum mechanically the conversion process and proceed to a more concrete description of a phonon-photon translator formed from coupled photonic and phononic crystal planar circuits. Applications of the phonon-photon translator to RF-microwave photonics and circuit QED, including proposals utilizing this system for optical wavelength conversion, long-lived quantum memory and state transfer from optical to superconducting qubits are considered.Comment: 32 pages, 11 figure

Irreversible port-Hamiltonian systems : a general formulation of irreversible processes with application to the CSTR.

International audienceIn this paper we suggest a class of quasi-port Hamiltonian systems called Irreversible port Hamiltonian Systems, that expresses simultaneously the first and second principle of thermodynamics as a structural property. These quasi-port Hamiltonian systems are defined with respect to a structure matrix and a modulating function which depends on the thermodynamic relation between state and co-state variables of the system. This modulating function itself is the product of some positive function and the Poisson bracket of the entropy and the energy function. This construction guarantees that the Hamiltonian function is a conserved quantity and simultaneously that the entropy function satisfies a balance equation containing an irreversible entropy creation term. In the second part of the paper, we suggest a lift of the Irreversible Port Hamiltonian Systems to control contact systems defined on the Thermodynamic Phase Space which is canonically endowed with a contact structure associated with Gibbs' relation. For this class of systems we have suggested a lift which avoids any singularity of the contact Hamiltonian function and defines a control contact system on the complete Thermodynamic Phase Space, in contrast to the previously suggested lifts of such systems. Finally we derive the formulation of the balance equations of a CSTR model as an Irreversible Port Hamiltonian System and give two alternative lifts of the CSTR model to a control contact system defined on the complete Thermodynamic Phase Space