The Efficiency of a Quantum Brayton Engine Using Wood-Saxon Potential

Abstract

This paper investigates the efficiency of a Quantum Brayton Engine (QBE) using the Wood-Saxon (WS) potential as the working substance. The WS potential offers a more realistic model compared to the traditional Free-Particle (FP) model for studying quantum systems. The work follows the formalism established by Bender et al. (2000) to describe the QBE cycle with two isentropic and two adiabatic processes. The efficiency expression for the QBE with WS potential is derived. The derived efficiency expression showcases the dependence on the parameters of the WS potential, including depth, confinement width, and diffuseness. By taking the FP limit of the WS model, the efficiency reduces to the well-known expression for a QBE with a free particle, validating the approach. This research demonstrates the potential of the WS potential for analyzing the performance of QBE and paves the way for further exploration of more realistic models in quantum thermodynamics.