Quantum thermodynamics addresses the emergence of thermodynamical laws from quantum me- chanics. The viewpoint advocated is based on the intimate connection of quantum thermodynamics with the theory of open quantum systems. Quantum mechanics inserts dynamics into thermody- namics giving a sound foundation to finite-time-thermodynamics. The emergence of the 0-law I-law II-law and III-law of thermodynamics from quantum considerations will be presented through exam- ples. I will show that the 3-level laser is equivalent to Carnot engine. I will reverse the engine and obtain a quantum refrigerator. Different models of quantum refrigerators and their optimisation will be discussed. A heat-driven refrigerator (absorption refrigerator) is compared to a power-driven refrigerator related to laser cooling. This will lead to a dynamical version of the III-law of thermo- dynamics limiting the rate of cooling when the absolute zero is approached. I will show that various engine types are thermodynamically equivalent in the quantum limit of small engine action. I will address the question why we find heat exchangers and flywheels in quantum engines. I will present a molecular model of a heat rectifier and a heat pump in a non-Markovian and strong coupling regime [? ].
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[1] K. H. Hoffmann, P. Salamon, Y. Rezek and R. Kosloff, Euro. Phys. Lett. 96, 60015 (2011). [2] A. Levy, R. Alicki, and R. Kosloff, Phys. Rev. E 85, 061126 (2012), URL http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevE.
85.061126. [3] Ronnie Kosloff, Entropy 15, 2100 (2013). [4] R. Kosloff and A. Levy, Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 65, 365 (2014). [5] R. Uzdin and R. Kosloff, New J. Phys. 16, 095003 (2014).