2001/05/25 by Marlan O. Scully, Scully, Marlan O.
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Combustion and flame dynamics #FOS: Physical sciences #Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics #Quantum Physics (quant-ph) #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/0105135
5 pages, 3 figures
arxiv created 2001/05/25 · openalex publication_date 2001/05/25 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · arxiv updated 2016/09/08 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
By using a laser and maser in tandem, it is possible to obtain laser action in the hot exhaust gases involved in heat engine operation. Such a "quantum afterburner" involves the internal quantum states of working gas atoms or molecules as well as the techniques of cavity quantum electrodynamics and is therefore in the domain of quantum thermodynamics. As an example, it is shown that Otto cycle engine performance can be improved beyond that of the "ideal" Otto heat engine.