Quantum thermodynamics for a model of an expanding Universe

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

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