In this study, we consider a quantum Szilárd heat engine model based on a q-deformed harmonic oscillator with level degeneracy. By systematically varying the deformation parameter q, the oscillator frequency, and the hot reservoir temperature, we investigated their combined effects on key thermodynamic quantities such as extracted work and efficiency. Our analysis showed distinct thermodynamic regimes, including the appearance of short-lived plateaus, abrupt efficiency drops near critical q-values, and transitions from engine-like to refrigerator-like behavior. These results demonstrate the critical role of quantum deformation, oscillator frequency, and thermal parameters in controlling the performance of microscopic heat engines, and offer valuable insights into optimizing energy conversion processes beyond the classical limit. • The efficiency and work of the q-Szilard engine are dependent on the q and the ω • As the temperature difference between hot, cold bath increases efficiency increases • Over a frequency threshold the highly deformed q-oscillator reaches Carnot efficiency
Nutku et al. (Tue,) studied this question.