Otto refrigerator based on a superconducting qubit: classical and quantum performance

We analyse a quantum Otto refrigerator based on a superconducting qubit coupled to two LC-resonators each including a resistor acting as a reservoir. We find various operation regimes: nearly adiabatic (low driving frequency), ideal Otto cycle (intermediate frequency), and non-adiabatic coherent regime (high frequency). In the nearly adiabatic regime, the cooling power is quadratic in frequency, and we find substantially enhanced coefficient of performance ε, as compared to that of an ideal Otto cycle. Quantum coherent effects lead invariably to decrease in both cooling power and ε as compared to purely classical dynamics. In the non-adiabatic regime we observe strong coherent oscillations of the cooling power as a function of frequency. We investigate various driving waveforms: compared to the standard sinusoidal drive, truncated trapezoidal drive with optimized rise and dwell times yields higher cooling power and efficiency.