Submitted Abstract
Thermodynamics and quantum physics are two extremely successful physical theories which have been tested over decades in numerous experiments. Quantum thermodynamics combines concepts from both theories and becomes important whenever quantum systems are coupled to thermodynamic baths. Such a situation is ubiquitous in nature, and is responsible for such well-known effects as relaxation and decoherence.As long as the coupling between system and bath remains weak, standard techniques make it possible to extend the thermodynamic laws to the quantum domain. However, recent experimental advances allow researchers to engineer stronger coupling. In that case, it becomes much more difficult to find proper definitions of internal energy, heat and entropy, such that thermodynamic laws can be derived.In this project, we will advance the field of quantum thermodynamics to this strong coupling case. In particular, we will study quantum dots in non-equilibrium situations subject to time-dependent stimuli. We will establish and interpret the thermodynamic quantities governing their behavior. On the one hand, these insights will be important for current experiments on driven quantum dots. On the other hand, they will also increase our basic understanding of how quantum information is lost in a thermal environment and thus our understanding of the crossover between quantum and classical systems.