Achieve higher efficiency at maximum power with finite-time quantum Otto cycle.

Abstract

The optimization of heat engines was intensively explored to achieve higher efficiency while maintaining the output power. However, most investigations were limited to a few finite-time cycles, e.g., the Carnot-like cycle, due to the complexity of the finite-time thermodynamics. In this paper, we propose a class of finite-time engine with quantum Otto cycle, and demonstrate a higher achievable efficiency at maximum power. The current model can be widely utilized, benefitting from the general C/τ^{2} scaling of extra work for a finite-time adiabatic process with long control time τ. We apply the adiabatic perturbation method to the quantum piston model and calculate the efficiency at maximum power, which is validated with an exact solution.