Quantum heat engine based on quantum interferometry: The SU(1,1) Otto cycle

Abstract

We present a quantum heat engine based on a quantum Otto cycle whose working substance reproduces the same outcomes as an SU(1,1) interference process at the end of each adiabatic transformation. This device takes advantage of the extraordinary quantum metrological features of the SU(1,1) interferometer to better discriminate the sources of uncertainty of relevant observables during each adiabatic stroke of the cycle. In particular, the SU(1,1) adiabatic transformations enable high-precision estimations of the energy extracted from the adiabatic stroke, despite the presence of thermal fluctuations. Applications to circuit QED platforms are also discussed.