We study a class of cyclic Brownian heat engines in the framework of finite-time thermodynamics. For infinitely long cycle times, the engine works at the Carnot efficiency limit producing, however, zero power. For the efficiency at maximum power, we find a universal expression, different from the endoreversible Curzon-Ahlborn efficiency. Our results are illustrated with a simple one-dimensional engine working in and with a time-dependent harmonic potential. © Europhysics Letters Association.
CITATION STYLE
Schmiedl, T., & Seifert, U. (2008). Efficiency at maximum power: An analytically solvable model for stochastic heat engines. EPL, 81(2). https://doi.org/10.1209/0295-5075/81/20003
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