Collective heat engines via different interactions: Minimal models, thermodynamics, and phase transitions
Phys. Rev. E 113, 054118 – Published 11 May, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/f371-6ck6
Abstract
We investigate the dynamics and thermodynamics of a framework composed of interacting units in which parameters (temperatures and energies) assume distinct values due to the contact with distinct (cold and hot) thermal reservoirs. The influence of different ingredients, such as the contact between thermal baths (simultaneous versus not simultaneous contact), the coupling between them (equal or different couplings), and the topology of interactions (all-to-all versus local interactions) is investigated. Closed expressions for transition lines are obtained, expressed by a linear combination of interaction energies times reciprocal temperatures for the simultaneous thermal contact baths and deviates from it when the contact is not simultaneous. The interplay between performance and dissipation is investigated under different conditions, giving rise to a richness of operation regimes, such as the heat engine and heat pump. The relationship between thermodynamic quantities (power, efficiency, and dissipation) allows a careful choice of parameters to ensure the desirable compromise between them. Finally, the influence of different interactions energies [Ising, Potts versus Blume-Emery-Griffiths (BEG)-like] are investigated, revealing that Potts interactions, in general, present superior performances than BEG ones.
