Thermodynamics of two-stroke engine based on periodically driven two-level system

Abstract

We investigate a microscopic motor based on an externally controlled two-level system. We give the exact solution of the underlying dynamical equation and discuss the emerging thermodynamics.

We also give the exact formula for probability density for work done by the engine on the environment during one operational cycle of the engine.

Keywords

• thermodynamics of small systems
• work probability density