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Proposal for an autonomous quantum heat engine
by Miika Rasola, Vasilii Vadimov, Tuomas Uusnäkki, Mikko Möttönen
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Submission summary
| Authors (as registered SciPost users): | Miika Rasola · Vasilii Vadimov |
| Submission information | |
|---|---|
| Preprint Link: | https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.08359v5 (pdf) |
| Date accepted: | Sept. 30, 2025 |
| Date submitted: | Sept. 25, 2025, 9:16 a.m. |
| Submitted by: | Miika Rasola |
| Submitted to: | SciPost Physics |
| Ontological classification | |
|---|---|
| Academic field: | Physics |
| Specialties: |
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| Approaches: | Theoretical, Computational |
Abstract
We propose and theoretically analyse a superconducting electric circuit which can be used to experimentally realize an autonomous quantum heat engine. Using a quasiclassical, non-Markovian theoretical model, we demonstrate that coherent microwave power generation can emerge solely from the heat flow through the circuit determined by non-linear circuit quantum electrodynamics. The predicted energy generation rate is sufficiently high for experimental observation with contemporary techniques, rendering this work a significant step toward the first experimental realization of an autonomous quantum heat engine based on Otto cycles.
Author indications on fulfilling journal expectations
- Provide a novel and synergetic link between different research areas.
- Open a new pathway in an existing or a new research direction, with clear potential for multi-pronged follow-up work
- Detail a groundbreaking theoretical/experimental/computational discovery
- Present a breakthrough on a previously-identified and long-standing research stumbling block
Author comments upon resubmission
Dear Editor,
We are glad to see that Referee #1 is satisfied with our revision of the paper. Hopefully, after addressing the questions raised by Referee #2, our manuscript is suitable for publication in SciPost Physics.
We have addressed both of the comments by referee #2 by providing more detailed discussion on the topics in the revised manuscript and by answering their questions by replying to them in the revision-comments section. Furthermore we haver fixed the error pointed out in Eq. (22).
We are glad to see that Referee #1 is satisfied with our revision of the paper. Hopefully, after addressing the questions raised by Referee #2, our manuscript is suitable for publication in SciPost Physics.
We have addressed both of the comments by referee #2 by providing more detailed discussion on the topics in the revised manuscript and by answering their questions by replying to them in the revision-comments section. Furthermore we haver fixed the error pointed out in Eq. (22).
List of changes
- We provide more justification to our approximations and detail the assumption and region of validity of our approach more clearly by:
- Adding a brief clarification in the beginning of Sec. 3.3.
- Justifying that equation (24) actually allows a zero output power solution
- We removed the erronous summation sign in Eq. (22)
Published as SciPost Phys. 19, 101 (2025)