Speaker: Jen-Tsung Hsiang

Title: An exploration into quantum thermodynamics - from the open-system perspective

Abstract: We take the perspective of open quantum systems and examine from their nonequilibrium dynamics the conditions when the physical quantities, their relations and the laws of thermodynamics become well defined and viable for quantum many body systems. We first highlight issues and ambiguities in QTD  when the interaction between the system of interest and the environment is strong. Then we use the example of N strongly coupled harmonic oscillators, interacting strongly with a scalar field environment to illustrate these issues in the context of the internal energy, heat capacity, and the Third Law.

Where: UMCP, Olver room (Atlantic 4301)