Researchers Riccardo Grazi, Henrik Johannesson, Dario Ferraro, and Niccolò Traverso Ziani, affiliated with institutions including the University of Milan and the University of Gothenburg, have published a study in the journal Physical Review Letters that explores the stabilization of charging processes in quantum batteries, a critical step towards their practical application.
Quantum batteries leverage the principles of quantum mechanics to potentially offer more efficient and powerful energy storage solutions. In this study, the researchers investigated a specific type of quantum battery model known as a transverse-field Ising chain. They focused on the interplay between qubit interactions within the battery and the finite time taken to charge it. Their findings indicate that this combination results in smoother and more controllable charging processes compared to sudden charging protocols or non-interacting batteries.
The study also examined the impact of stochastic noise on the charging process. The researchers found that the effect of noise is highly dependent on the charging trajectory. Protocols that weakly excite the system were observed to gain energy under noisy conditions but lose extractable work. Conversely, protocols that strongly excite many modes showed the opposite trend: noise reduced the stored energy but improved the efficiency, defined as the ratio of extractable work to stored energy.
These findings underscore the importance of finite-time charging protocols in stabilizing the charging process of quantum batteries. The researchers highlight that noise can either hinder or enhance the performance of quantum batteries, depending on the specific charging protocol used. This research provides valuable insights for the development of practical quantum batteries, which could have significant implications for the energy sector by offering more efficient and scalable energy storage solutions.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.