https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2010-00145-y
Limitations of the quantum Jarzynski estimator: boundary switching processes
Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität
Stuttgart, 70550 Stuttgart, Germany
Corresponding author: a jens.teifel@itpl.uni-stuttgart.de
Received:
16
December
2009
Revised:
17
February
2010
Published online:
12
May
2010
The Jarzynski relation aims at an estimate of the free energy change along a finite isotherm. Its application in the quantum domain requires a proper choice of substitute processes combined with quantum mechanical (projective) measurements at the beginning and in the end. The Jarzynski relation can be violated by non-unitary processes like those generated by instantaneous constraint switching (boundary switching). For a complementary model space with a moving barrier of arbitrary, but finite height, the Jarzynski relation is fulfilled. However, its application may be limited due to bad statistics.
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2010