Thermodynamics of linear open quantum walks
Phys. Rev. A 114, 052403 – Published 2 November, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/kl4t-xx2n
Abstract
Open quantum systems interact with their environment, leading to nonunitary dynamics. We investigate the thermodynamics of linear open quantum walks (OQWs), a class of quantum walks whose dynamics is entirely driven by the environment. We define an equilibrium temperature, identify a population inversion near a finite critical value of a control parameter, analyze the thermalization process, and develop the statistical mechanics needed to describe the thermodynamical properties of linear OQWs. We also study nonequilibrium thermodynamics by analyzing the time evolution of entropy, energy, and temperature, while providing analytical tools to understand the system's evolution as it converges to the thermalized state. We examine the validity of the second and third laws of thermodynamics in this setting. Finally, we employ these developments to shed light on dissipative quantum computation within the OQW framework.
