Carnot efficiency at divergent power output

Physics and Materials Science Research Unit, University of Luxembourg, Campus Limpertsberg 162a avenue de la Faïencerie, L-1511 Luxembourg, G. D. Luxembourg

^(a) matteo.polettini@uni.lu

Received: 27 March 2017
Accepted: 3 July 2017

Abstract

The widely debated feasibility of thermodynamic machines achieving Carnot efficiency at finite power has been convincingly dismissed. Yet, the common wisdom that efficiency can only be optimal in the limit of infinitely slow processes overlooks the dual scenario of infinitely fast processes. We corroborate that efficient engines at divergent power output are not theoretically impossible, framing our claims within the theory of Stochastic Thermodynamics. We inspect the case of an electronic quantum dot coupled to three particle reservoirs to illustrate the physical rationale.