Stochastic thermodynamics of molecular systems: from classical to quantum


Stochastic thermodynamics is a rapidly developing field, which theoretically describes far-from-equilibrium energy transformations on the level of individual molecules. Its applications range from energetics of molecular motors and photosynthetic light-harvesting systems to quantum dots. The aim of the proposed project is to tackle three up-to-date challenges from this burgeoning field. We will investigate how details of the dynamics shape probability distributions of central thermodynamic quantities such as work and entropy production. We will study how cornerstone notions of stochastic thermodynamics can be generalized and interconnected in case where the environment itself is far from thermodynamic equilibrium (we will focus on statistical forces and heat capacities of non-equilibrium media). We will explore the performance of the molecular machines at the level of individual stochastic trajectories. All these problems will be studied both in the classical and in the quantum regime.