Quantum heat transformers

Abstract We propose a quantum heat transformer (QHT), a quantum thermodynamic device that modulates temperature gradients between two thermal junctions in quantum systems. Functionally, the QHT is analogous to classical absorption heat transformers in its ability to redistribute thermal energy without external work input. Moreover, we show that its performance ratio mirrors that of classical voltage transformers, where the intrinsic parameters of the system play a role similar to the coil turn ratios. We initially design the device for a three-qubit system, representing the smallest possible self-contained heat transformer model. Subsequently we extend to four-qubit systems, with a specific emphasis on exploring the step-down mode as the primary focus. We showcase the versatility and adaptability of the models by illustrating that a variety of self-contained setups can be constructed, each corresponding to different configurations of the interaction Hamiltonian and their associated self-contained conditions. An important effect in this study is the proof of existence of a necessarily transient step-down quantum heat transformer, that has a dual-mode characteristic, wherein the desired step-down mode can be realized within the transient regime of an originally designed step-up mode of the QHT. We also investigate how to control this transient domain up to which the necessarily transient mode can be achieved, by regulating the initial temperature of the qubits in the four-qubit settings. Therefore, this quantum heat transformer model not only acts as an analog to the classical transformers, but also enjoys advanced characteristics, enabling it to function in both step-up and step-down modes within the same setup, unattainable for classical transformers.