Powering a quantum clock with a nonequilibrium steady state
Phys. Rev. A 112, 012218 – Published 22 July, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/86m1-yxwq
Abstract
We propose powering a quantum clock with the nonthermal resources offered by the stationary state of an integrable quantum spin chain, driven out of equilibrium by a sudden quench. We describe the dynamics of the clock as a “biased random walk.” The bias level is directly related to the negativity of the steady-state response function. Using experimentally relevant examples of quantum spin chains, we suggest that crossing a phase transition point is crucial for the clock's operation. The coupling takes place through a global observable and, in this case, the battery lifespan is found to be extensive in its size.
