Work statistics in a quenched quantum optomechanical system

Abstract

Thermodynamic work for a classical system has long been studied. Over the last few decades, however, great interest has been shown in the field of thermodynamics in the quantum regime; in particular, the study of work done on or by a quantum mechanical system. In this paper, after defining a number of essential mathematical preliminaries, we shall apply some important theoretical results to a simple optomechanical system, having one of of its parameters changed rapidly, in order to obtain a relatively complete set of statistical results related to this quantum mechanical work. Furthermore, a number of results shall be extended for the case of a nonrapid change, making possible future experimental realisations even more feasible. Finally, the transitionless quantum driving technique shall be applied to our system, yielding some elegant results which enables a shortcut to adiabaticity to be taken, without requiring the system to undergo an adiabatic process itself.