Quantum heat engine with near-zero irreversible work utilizing quantum skyrmion working substance

Abstract

The primary obstacle in the field of quantum thermodynamics revolves around the development and practical implementation of quantum heat engines operating at the nanoscale. One of the key challenges associated with quantum working bodies is “quantum friction,” which refers to irreversible wasted work resulting from quantum inter-level transitions. Consequently, the construction of a reversible quantum cycle necessitates the utilization of adiabatic shortcuts. However, the experimental realization of such shortcuts for realistic quantum substances is exceedingly complex and often unattainable for realistic materials. In this study, we propose a quantum heat engine that capitalizes on the plasmonic skyrmion lattice. Through rigorous analysis, we demonstrate that the quantum skyrmion substance exhibits near-zero irreversible work owing to its topological protection. Consequently, our engine operates without the need for adiabatic shortcuts. We checked by numerical calculations and observed that when the system is in the quantum skyrmion phase, the propagated states differ from the initial states only by the geometrical and dynamical phases. The adiabatic evolution leads to near-zero transition matrix elements, consequently the system demonstrates near-zero irreversible entropy. By employing plasmonic mods and an electric field, we drive the quantum cycle. The fundamental building blocks for constructing the quantum working body are individual skyrmions within the plasmonic lattice. As a result, one can precisely control the output power of the engine and the thermodynamic work accomplished by manipulating the number of quantum skyrmions present. © 2025 Elsevier B.V.