NIM Focus Workshop

Nonequilibrium thermodynamics at the nanoscale

Nonequilibrium phenomena at the nanoscale are dominated by fluctuations and by quantum effects. Last few years have witnessed dramatic progress in the study of nanodevices such as nanomechanical resonators, nanoengines and nanopumps and the understanding of their thermodynamical properties is of fundamental as well as practical interest. In particular, the investigation of the efficiency of nanodevices and how the latter is affected by nonequilibrium fluctuations and nonclassical properties such as entanglement is a major issue.

The aim of the workshop is to discuss recent developments in the field of nanothermodynamics with special emphasis on quantum work theorems, quantum heat engines, nonequilibrium entanglement and experimental nanomechanics.

• Janet Anders, University College London (Thermal state entanglement in harmonic lattices)
• Hans Briegel, University of Innsbruck (Entanglement dynamics in open dissipative systems)
• Pavel Bushev, University of Ulm (Experiments with trapped electrons)
• Peter Hänggi, University of Augsburg (Quantum work theorems)
• Günter Mahler, University of Stuttgart (Quantum heat engines)
• Ferdinand Schmidt-Kaler, University of Ulm (Single trapped ions)
• Eva Weig, LMU Munich (Nanomechanical resonators)

The workshop will take place at the Hörsaalzentrum Physik of the University of Augsburg (map)
From the train station or Königsplatz (main square): take tram 3 (direction Inninger Strasse ) and get off at the station Universität.
From the Dom Hotel: take tram 2 (direction Haunstetten Nord) and change at Königsplatz to tram 3.
Trams usually run every five minutes (map).

By email to eric.lutz@physik.uni-augsburg.de until September 1st 2008.
The participation is free and includes lunch on both days.

Can be downloaded here.