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arXiv · 1602.00392

Underdamped stochastic heat engine at maximum efficiency

Andreas Dechant·Nikolai Kiesel·Eric Lutz
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Abstract

We investigate the performance of an underdamped stochastic heat engine for a time-dependent harmonic oscillator. We analytically determine the optimal protocol that maximizes the efficiency at fixed power. The maximum efficiency reduces to the Curzon-Ahlborn formula at maximum power and the Carnot formula at zero power. We further establish that the efficiency at maximum power is universally given by the Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency in the weakly damped regime. Finally, we show that even small deviations from operation at maximum power may result in a significantly increased efficiency.

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Andreas Dechant, Nikolai Kiesel, Eric Lutz. 2016-02-01. Underdamped stochastic heat engine at maximum efficiency. https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/119/50003

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