pith. sign in

arxiv: cond-mat/0605233 · v1 · submitted 2006-05-09 · ❄️ cond-mat.stat-mech

Exploring the operation of a tiny heat engine

classification ❄️ cond-mat.stat-mech
keywords modelheatenginefunctionschangescurrenteitherfind
0
0 comments X
read the original abstract

We model a tiny heat engine as a Brownian particle that moves in a viscous medium in a sawtooth potential (with or without load) assisted by $\it {alternately}$ placed hot and cold heat baths along its path. We find closed form expression for the steady state current as a function of the model parameters. This enables us to deal with the energetics of the model and evaluate either its efficiency or its coefficient of performance depending upon whether the model functions either as a heat engine or as a refrigerator, respectively. We also study the way current changes with changes in parameters of interest. When we plot the phase diagrams showing the way the model operates, we not only find regions where it functions as a heat engine and as a refrigerator but we also identify a region where the model functions as neither of the two.

This paper has not been read by Pith yet.

discussion (0)

Sign in with ORCID, Apple, or X to comment. Anyone can read and Pith papers without signing in.