QEI Seminar - Alhun Aydin

In the third installment of the QEI seminar series, Alhun Aydin (Quantum Energy Research Group of the Sabancı University) presents his research on the Implications of Nonuniform Level Scaling for Quantum Energy Devices.
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Abstract: The nature of finite-size spectra plays a crucial role in the physics of quantum devices with quantized energy levels. A geometric technique called size-invariant shape transformation provides a global and continuous way to manipulate the spectra. Such manipulation, when conducted in a quasistatic manner, leads to so-called quantum shape effects in thermodynamic properties. We show that the geometric couplings between levels generated by the size-invariant shape transformations cause a nonuniform scaling in the spectra. We find that this nonuniform level scaling is characterized by two distinct spectral features: reduction of the ground state and modification of the spectral gaps (energy level splitting or degeneracy formation depending on the symmetries). Geometry-induced eigenstate swapping occurs due to the shrinkage of the eigenfunctions leading to an excessive occupation of the ground-state, a phenomenon we call quantum thermal avalanche. This leads to peculiar thermodynamic behaviors, such as spontaneous transitions into lower-entropy states and cooling (or heating) by adiabatic compression (or expansion). We argue that these effects, owing to the generality of the phenomenon, can be observed and applied in various quantum energy devices. Finally, we discuss the potential applications of nonuniform level scaling in quantum heat machines.
The QEI seminar series invites speakers to present their research relating to the interdisciplinary topic of understanding and optimising the physical resource cost of quantum technologies.
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