Abstract: Abstract In this review, the debated rapport between thermodynamics and quantum mechanics is addressed in the framework of the theory of periodically driven/controlled quantum-thermodynamic machines. The basic model studied here is that of a two-level system (TLS), whose energy is periodically modulated while the system is coupled to thermal baths. When the modulation interval is short compared to the bath memory time, the system–bath correlations are affected, thereby causing cooling or heating of the TLS, depending on the interval. In stead...
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Topics: 
Statistical physics
Thermodynamics
Quantum mechanics