Single-atom verification of the information-theoretical bound of irreversibility at the quantum level

oleh: J. W. Zhang, K. Rehan, M. Li, J. C. Li, L. Chen, S.-L. Su, L.-L. Yan, F. Zhou, M. Feng

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: American Physical Society 2020-07-01

Deskripsi

The quantitative measure of disorder or randomness based on the entropy production characterizes thermodynamical irreversibility, which is relevant to the conventional second law of thermodynamics. Here we report, in a quantum mechanical fashion, the first theoretical prediction and experimental exploration of an information-theoretical bound on the entropy production. Our theoretical model consists of a simplest two-level dissipative system driven by a purely classical field, and under the Markovian dissipation, we find that such an information-theoretical bound, not fully validating quantum relaxation processes, strongly depends on the drive-to-decay ratio and the initial state. Furthermore, we carry out experimental verification of this information-theoretical bound by means of a single spin embedded in an ultracold trapped ^{40}Ca^{+} ion. Our finding, based on a two-level model, is fundamental to any quantum thermodynamical process and indicates much difference and complexity in quantum thermodynamics with respect to the conventionally classical counterpart.