[quantum-info] joint PIQuDos, condensed matter seminar Wed March 25: Sebastian Deffner

[Gus Gutoski]

Please join us on Wednesday, March 25 at 4pm in the Time room for a
joint quantum information, condensed matter seminar by Sebastian
Deffner.

Title: Quantum fluctuation theorems in open systems

Abstract: For isolated quantum systems fluctuation theorems are
commonly derived within the two-time energy measurement approach. In
this talk we will discuss recent developments and studies on
generalizations of this approach. We will show that concept of
fluctuation theorems is not only of thermodynamic relevance, but that
it is also of interest in quantum information theory. In a second part
we will show that the quantum fluctuation theorem generalizes to
PT-symmetric quantum mechanics with unbroken PT-symmetry. In the
regime of broken PT-symmetry the Jarzynski equality does not hold as
also the CPT-norm is not preserved during the dynamics. These findings
will be illustrated for an experimentally relevant system ? two
coupled optical waveguides. It turns out that for these systems the
phase transition between the regimes of unbroken and broken
PT-symmetry is thermodynamically inhibited as the irreversible work
diverges at the critical point. The discussion will be concluded with
an alternative approach to fluctuation theorems and quantum entropy
production in quantum phase space.