Abstract
We discuss the reversibility of the Brownian heat engine. We perform an asymptotic analysis of the Kramers equation on a Büttiker-Landauer system and show quantitatively that Carnot efficiency is unattainable even in the fully overdamped limit. The unattainability is attributed to inevitable irreversible heat flow over the temperature boundary.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 6021-6025 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2000 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Statistics and Probability
- Condensed Matter Physics