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arXiv · 1812.10651

Carnot efficiency and zero-entropy-production rate do not guarantee reversibility of a process

Jae Sung Lee·Sang Hoon Lee·Jaegon Um·Hyunggyu Park
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Abstract

Thermodynamic process at zero-entropy-production (EP) rate has been regarded as a reversible process. A process achieving the Carnot efficiency is also considered as a reversible process. Therefore, the condition, `Carnot efficiency at zero-EP rate' could be regarded as a strong equivalent condition for a reversible process. Here, however, we show that the detailed balance can be broken for a zero-EP rate process and even for a process achieving the Carnot efficiency at zero-EP rate in an example of a quantum-dot model. This clearly demonstrates that `Carnot efficiency at zero-EP rate' or just 'zero-EP rate' is not a sufficient condition for a reversible process.

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Jae Sung Lee, Sang Hoon Lee, Jaegon Um, Hyunggyu Park. 2018-12-27. Carnot efficiency and zero-entropy-production rate do not guarantee reversibility of a process. https://doi.org/10.3938/jkps.75.948

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