Eur. Phys. J. B 75, 275-283 (2010)
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

Abstract

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.