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Quantum dots and their applications

Unsolved mysteries of the microworld and the most difficult questions in the field of quantum thermodynamics draw up his daily bread. Krzysztof Ptaszyński, a PhD from the PAS Institute of Molecular Physics was named one of the 100 most talented young scientists awarded by the Foundation for Polish Science.

 

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Moreover, for his outstanding research achievements, Krzysztof Ptaszyński received special distinction from the Foundation for Polish Science.

Polish Academy of Sciences: What do you study?

Krzysztof Ptaszyński, PhD: I deal with thermodynamics, a branch of physics concerned with energy flow. I analyze such processes in very small systems, which are several nanometers in size (nanometer is one millionth of a millimeter – editor’s note).

Can you give us an example?

One example of such small systems are quantum dots – nonometer-sized, invisible boxes containing individual electrons. When electrons jump between the quantum dot and the electrodes, heat is produced. Quantum dots could also serve as thermoelectric generators that convert heat into work.

Does it mean that you check how the smallest particles can produce energy?

Yes, it is one of the issues that we study. We check how quantum dots can differ from ordinary engines operating on a macro scale. The main goal of our research is to learn the new laws of physics governing the thermodynamics of small systems. This knowledge can be applied in many other areas, for example, to better understand cell function.

What are your research plans?

During the six-month scholarship at the University of Luxembourg, I worked with Massimiliano Esposito, a leader in the field of thermodynamic systems. Using elements of information theory, we studied the concept of entropy increase, in other words the invisible force that brings disorder to the universe. This means that an ordered system will eventually turn into an unordered one, while the opposite never happens. We tried to understand what this disorder is and how the laws that govern it in microsystems differ. The next step in our collaboration is to examine how the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics lead to the second law of thermodynamics.

Uśmiechnięty Krzysztof Ptaszyński

Source of information: Krzysztof Ptaszyński, PhD

Photo: researcher's private archive.