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Quantum thermodynamics for a model of an expanding Universe

Nana Liu; Goold, John; Fuentes, Ivette; Vedral, Vlatko; Modi, Kavan; Bruschi, David Edward

Authors

Nana Liu

John Goold

Ivette Fuentes

Vlatko Vedral

Kavan Modi

David Edward Bruschi



Abstract

We investigate the thermodynamical properties of quantum fields in curved spacetime. Our approach is to consider quantum fields in curved spacetime as a quantum system undergoing an out-of-equilibrium transformation. The non-equilibrium features are studied by using a formalism which has been developed to derive fluctuation relations and emergent irreversible features beyond the linear response regime. We apply these ideas to an expanding Universe scenario, therefore avoiding assumptions on the relation between entropy and quantum matter. We provide a fluctuation theorem which allows us to understand particle production due to the expansion of the Universe as an entropic increase. Our results pave the way towards a different understanding of the thermodynamics of relativistic and quantum systems in our Universe.

Citation

Nana Liu, Goold, J., Fuentes, I., Vedral, V., Modi, K., & Bruschi, D. E. (2016). Quantum thermodynamics for a model of an expanding Universe. Classical and Quantum Gravity, 33(3), 035003. https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/33/3/035003

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 25, 2015
Online Publication Date Jan 11, 2016
Publication Date Feb 4, 2016
Deposit Date Dec 7, 2018
Journal Classical and Quantum Gravity
Print ISSN 0264-9381
Electronic ISSN 1361-6382
Publisher IOP Publishing
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 33
Issue 3
Pages 035003
DOI https://doi.org/10.1088/0264-9381/33/3/035003
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1379980
Publisher URL https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0264-9381/33/3/035003/meta
Related Public URLs https://arxiv.org/abs/1409.5283
Additional Information Journal title: Classical and Quantum Gravity; Article type: paper; Article title: Quantum thermodynamics for a model of an expanding Universe; Copyright information: © 2016 IOP Publishing Ltd; Date received: 2015-05-28; Date accepted: 2015-11-25; Online publication date: 2016-01-11