2017/05/31 by Patrick Pietzonka, Udo Seifert · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.stat-mech
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.120.190602
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 190602 (2018) · 6 pages + 4 pages Supplemental Material, final version
arxiv created 2018/05/14 · arxiv updated 2018/05/15
Heat engines should ideally have large power output, operate close to Carnot efficiency and show constancy, i.e., exhibit only small fluctuations in this output. For steady-state heat engines, driven by a constant temperature difference between the two heat baths, we prove that out of these three requirements only two are compatible. Constancy enters quantitatively the conventional trade-off between power and efficiency. Thus, we rationalize and unify recent suggestions for overcoming this simple trade-off. Our universal bound is illustrated for a paradigmatic model of a quantum dot solar cell and for a Brownian gyrator delivering mechanical work against an external force.