Efficiency at maximum power: An analytically solvable model for stochastic heat engines
Top Cited Papers
- 10 December 2007
- journal article
- Published by IOP Publishing in Europhysics Letters
- Vol. 81 (2), 20003
- https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/81/20003
Abstract
We study a class of cyclic Brownian heat engines in the framework of finite-time thermodynamics. For infinitely long cycle times, the engine works at the Carnot efficiency limit producing, however, zero power. For the efficiency at maximum power, we find a universal expression, different from the endoreversible Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency. Our results are illustrated with a simple one-dimensional engine working in and with a time-dependent harmonic potential.Keywords
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