https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-026-07434-w
Regular Article
Controllable diatomic molecular quantum thermodynamic machines
1
Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis, 02600, Arau, Perlis, Malaysia
2
Department of Physics, University of Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria
3
Department of Physics, National Open University of Nigeria, Jabi, Abuja, Nigeria
4
School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom
a
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b
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c
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Received:
3
January
2026
Accepted:
11
February
2026
Published online:
13
March
2026
Abstract
We present quantum heat machines using a diatomic molecule modeled by a q-deformed Morse potential as a working medium. We analyze the effect of the deformation parameter and other potential parameters on the work output and efficiency of the quantum Otto and quantum Carnot heat cycles. Furthermore, we derive the analytical expressions of work and efficiency as a function of these parameters. Interestingly, our system operates as a quantum heat engine across the range of parameters considered. In addition, the efficiency of the quantum Otto heat engine is seen to be tunable by the deformation parameter. Our findings provide useful insight for understanding the impact of anharmonicity on the design of quantum thermal machines.
C. O. Edet, E. P. Inyang, O. Abah and N. Ali have contributed equally to this work.
© The Author(s) 2026
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