Quantum afterburner: improving the efficiency of an ideal heat engine. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • By using a laser and maser in tandem, it is possible to obtain laser action in the hot exhaust gases of a heat engine. Such a "quantum afterburner" involves the internal quantum states of the working molecules as well as the techniques of cavity quantum electrodynamics and is therefore in the domain of quantum thermodynamics. It is shown that Otto cycle engine performance can be improved beyond that of the "ideal" Otto heat engine. Furthermore, the present work demonstrates a new kind of lasing without initial inversion.

published proceedings

  • Phys Rev Lett

author list (cited authors)

  • Scully, M. O.

citation count

  • 136

complete list of authors

  • Scully, Marlan O

publication date

  • February 2002