Quantum Thermodynamic Integrability for Canonical and Noncanonical Statistics

We extend the Carathéodory principle of the second law to quantum thermodynamics, where energy levels depend on macroscopic variables such as volume and magnetic field. This extension introduces the concept of quantum thermodynamic integrability (QTI), providing an alternative foundation for statistical mechanics. QTI is characterized by the path independence of work and heat within the thermodynamic manifold, locally described by energy levels and specific thermodynamic parameters. Within this framework, temperature naturally emerges as an integrating factor, enabling the derivation of both canonical and noncanonical states from the entropy integrable equations based on QTI. Notably, noncanonical states, which become particularly significant outside the thermodynamic limit, reveal the existence of informational correlations in finite-size thermodynamic systems.

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Publication Details

Journal
Physical Review Letters
Published
2025-04-23
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.134.160404
Primary Topic
Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Quantum Thermodynamic Integrability for Canonical and Noncanonical Statistics

Ruo-Xun Zhai, Che Sun
Physical Review Letters
Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
article

Quantum Thermodynamic Integrability for Canonical and Noncanonical Statistics

Ruo-Xun Zhai, Che Sun
article en

Abstract

We extend the Carathéodory principle of the second law to quantum thermodynamics, where energy levels depend on macroscopic variables such as volume and magnetic field. This extension introduces the concept of quantum thermodynamic integrability (QTI), providing an alternative foundation for statistical mechanics. QTI is characterized by the path independence of work and heat within the thermodynamic manifold, locally described by energy levels and specific thermodynamic parameters. Within this framework, temperature naturally emerges as an integrating factor, enabling the derivation of both canonical and noncanonical states from the entropy integrable equations based on QTI. Notably, noncanonical states, which become particularly significant outside the thermodynamic limit, reveal the existence of informational correlations in finite-size thermodynamic systems.

Physical Review LettersVol. 134(16)
China Academy of Engineering Physics (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Safety Academic Fund
Openalex Percentile: Top 93%
Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
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