Effects Of Quantum Confinement And Coherence In Finite-Time Quantum Szilard Engine

The Szilard engine is a foundational thought experiment that rigorously links thermodynamicsand information theory. With the miniaturization of devices and ongoingprogress in quantum information science, it is crucial to examine how quantumeffects influence the operation of such engines. This thesis investigates the finitetimedynamics of a quantum Szilard engine subjected to size-invariant shape transformations,in which the geometry of the confinement potential is deformed withoutaltering its overall size. The system’s evolution is modeled using a time-dependent,Markovian LGKS (Lindblad-Gorini-Kossakowski-Sudarshan) master equation. Wenumerically solve this equation to analyze the thermodynamic behavior of the engine,focusing on the roles of quantum coherence and its interplay with heat, work,and entropy throughout the cycle. Special attention is given to how coherenceevolves under varying barrier insertion rates and thermalization temperatures. Wedemonstrate that coherence generation is strongly influenced by both the protocolspeed and the bath temperature. Furthermore, we show a connection between coherenceaccumulation and the energetic and informational cost of the cycle. Thesefindings enhance our understanding of coherence in finite-time, measurement-basedquantum devices and suggest that geometric deformations can serve as a powerfultool for thermodynamic control in quantum technologies.