Thermodynamics in Single-Electron Circuits and Superconducting Qubits

Classical and quantum electronic circuits provide ideal platforms to investigate stochastic thermodynamics and they have served as a stepping stone to realize Maxwell's demons with highly controllable protocols. In this article we first review the central thermal phenomena in quantum nanostructures. Thermometry and basic refrigeration methods will be described as enabling tools for thermodynamics experiments. Next we discuss the role of information in thermodynamics which leads to the concept of Maxwell's demon. Various Maxwell's demons realized in single-electron circuits over the past couple of years will be described. Currently true quantum thermodynamics in superconducting circuits is in focus of attention, and we end the review by discussing the ideas and first experiments in this exciting area of research.
21 pages, 6 figures + 5 pages, 2 figures