Looking for Work in Quantum Thermodynamics

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8399265
AutoresEugene Yew Siang Chua (0000-0002-3169-7563, autor de correspondencia)
Año2026
Fecha de publicación2026-01-23
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaThe British Journal for the Philosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0007-0882 • E-ISSN: 1464-3537
EditorialUniversity of Chicago Press (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1086/740608
OpenAlexW7125490235
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas35

This paper diagnoses a much-discussed problem in quantum thermodynamics, that of generalizing classical work into the quantum domain. I begin with the no-go theorem of Perarnau-Llobet et al (2017): no universal measurement scheme for quantum work satisfies two intuitive, classically consilient desiderata. I assess this incompatibility as stemming from the measurement problem. Decoherence restores compatibility for all practical purposes, but raises questions about what 'universality' should mean and whether any measurement scheme can be 'universal'. I consider a different standard of universality -- in terms of ontology -- by defining a trajectory-based notion of quantum work using the quantum potential. While this preserves the classical role of work as the integral of forces over distances, and evades the tension of the no-go theorem, consilience fails elsewhere; no single quantum work concept seems capable of preserving all classical features, raising questions for what it takes for successful generalization of the work concept to quantum thermodynamics

Open quantum system · Quantum · Quantum decoherence · Quantum measurement · Quantum operation · Quantum process · Relational quantum mechanics · Universality (dynamical systems · Work (physics · Advanced Physical and Chemical Molecular Interactions · Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics · Quantum many-body systems