hide
Free keywords:
-
Abstract:
We propose an experimental setup to measure the work performed in a
normal-metal/insulator/superconducting (NIS) junction, subjected to a
voltage change and in contact with a thermal bath. We compute the
performed work and argue that the associated heat release can be
measured experimentally. Our results are based on an equivalence between
the dynamics of the NIS junction and that of an assembly of two-level
systems subjected to a circularly polarised field, for which we can
determine the work-characteristic function exactly. The average work
dissipated by the NIS junction, as well as its fluctuations, are
determined. From the work characteristic function, we also compute the
work probability-distribution and show that it does not have a Gaussian
character. Our results allow for a direct experimental test of the
Crooks-Tasaki fluctuation relation.
