Dresden 2026 – scientific programme
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QI: Fachverband Quanteninformation
QI 7: Quantum Thermodynamics
QI 7.4: Talk
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 10:15–10:30, BEY/0E17
Local energy assignment for two interacting quantum thermal reservoirs — •Alessandra Colla1,2, Bassano Vacchini2, and Andrea Smirne2 — 1Institute of Physics, University of Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Straße 3, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany — 2Dipartimento di Fisica ``Aldo Pontremoli'', Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 16, I-20133 Milan, Italy
Understanding how to assign internal energy, heat, and work in quantum systems beyond weak coupling remains a central problem in quantum thermodynamics, particularly as the difference between competing definitions becomes increasingly relevant. In this work [1], we identify two common sets of definitions for first law quantities that are used in the literature to describe the thermodynamics of quantum systems coupled to thermal environments. Both are conceptually non-symmetric, treating one part of the bipartition (the ``system'') differently from the other (the ``bath''). We analyze these in a setting where such roles are not easily assigned, namely two large sets of thermal harmonic oscillators interacting with each other. We further compare them with a third set of definitions based on a local, conceptually symmetric open-system approach (``minimal dissipation'') and discuss their quantitative and structural differences. We observe that all three sets of definitions differ substantially even in the dispersive regime, and that the minimal dissipation approach features distinct work peaks that increase with coupling strength.
[1] A. Colla, B. Vacchini and A. Smirne, New Journal of Physics 10.1088/1367-2630/ae24a0 (2025)
Keywords: Quantum thermodynamics; Strong coupling; Open quantum systems; Interaction energy