On the relation between event-based and time-based current statistics

in Epl (2010), 89(1),

Current statistics can be calculated in various ways. Event-based approaches use the statistics of the number of events occurring during a given time. Time-based approaches use the statistics of the time ... [more ▼]

Current statistics can be calculated in various ways. Event-based approaches use the statistics of the number of events occurring during a given time. Time-based approaches use the statistics of the time needed to reach a given number of events. By analyzing normal as well as anomalous statistics of nonequilibrium currents through a two level system in contact with two different reservoirs, we investigate the conditions under which these different statistics do or do not yield identical predictions. We rely on the continuous time random walk formulation introduced in our earlier work (Phys. Rev. E, 77 (2008) 051119). [less ▲]

Finite-time thermodynamics for a single-level quantum dot

in Epl (2010), 89(2),

We investigate the finite-time thermodynamics of a single-level fermion system interacting with a particle reservoir. The optimal protocol to extract the maximum work from the system when moving the ... [more ▼]

We investigate the finite-time thermodynamics of a single-level fermion system interacting with a particle reservoir. The optimal protocol to extract the maximum work from the system when moving the single energy level between an initial higher value and a final lower value in a finite time is calculated from a quantum master equation. The calculation also yields the optimal protocol to raise the energy level with the expenditure of the least amount of work on the system. The optimal protocol displays discontinuous jumps at the initial and final times. [less ▲]

Three Detailed Fluctuation Theorems

in Physical Review Letters (2010), 104(9),

The total entropy production of a trajectory can be split into an adiabatic and a nonadiabatic contribution, deriving, respectively, from the breaking of detailed balance via nonequilibrium boundary ... [more ▼]

The total entropy production of a trajectory can be split into an adiabatic and a nonadiabatic contribution, deriving, respectively, from the breaking of detailed balance via nonequilibrium boundary conditions or by external driving.We show that each of them, the total, the adiabatic, and the nonadiabatic trajectory entropy, separately satisfies a detailed fluctuation theorem. [less ▲]

Extracting chemical energy by growing disorder: efficiency at maximum power

in Journal of Statistical Mechanics: Theory and Experiment (2010)

We consider the efficiency of chemical energy extraction from the environment by the growth of a copolymer made of two constituent units in the entropy-driven regime. We show that the thermodynamic ... [more ▼]

We consider the efficiency of chemical energy extraction from the environment by the growth of a copolymer made of two constituent units in the entropy-driven regime. We show that the thermodynamic nonlinearity associated with the information processing aspect is responsible for a branching of the system properties such as power, speed of growth, entropy production, and efficiency, with varying affinity. The standard linear thermodynamics argument which predicts an efficiency of 1/2 at maximum power is inappropriate because the regime of maximum power is located either outside of the linear regime or on a separate bifurcated branch, and because the usual thermodynamic force is not the natural variable for this optimization. [less ▲]

Nonequilibrium fluctuations, fluctuation theorems, and counting statistics in quantum systems

in Reviews of Modern Physics (2009), 81(4),

Transport in molecular states language: Generalized quantum master equation approach

in Physical Review. B (2009), 79(20),

Pulse propagation in decorated granular chains: An analytical approach

in Physical Review. E. (2009), 80(5),

Continuous-time random walk for open systems: Fluctuation theorems and counting statistics

in Physical Review. E. (2008), 77(5),

Single-electron counting spectroscopy: Simulation study of porphyrin in a molecular junction

in Nano Letters (2008), 8(4),

Entropy fluctuation theorems in driven open systems: Application to electron counting statistics

in Physical Review. E. (2007), 76(3),