Janine Splettstoesser, Full Professor in Theoretical Physics

Abstract: In this lecture, I will talk about the research on thermodynamics in nanoscale devices currently carried out in our group at AQP. I will show what is special about thermodynamics when the “engines” of interest are not macroscopic and standard thermodynamic concepts are not applicable any longer. Small devices can often not thermalise on time scales of their operation and they can therefore not be characterised by macroscopic equilibrium quantities like temperatures and electro-chemical potentials. This as well as quantum effects present in well-isolated small-scale systems lead to counter-intuitive effects in how these devices perform as heat engines. Importantly, also fluctuations play an important role, since they can be of similar magnitude as average quantities, which are typically considered in thermodynamics. 
Apart from highlighting some physics of nanoscale thermodynamic devices, I will also touch upon why this is in my opinion a very exciting and rewarding research field, how it connects to my previous main focus on time-dependent quantum transport and to our recent research in quantum optomechanics, and where I see bridges to many other research activities at MC2 and beyond.