The role of quantum measurement in stochastic thermodynamics

This article sets up a new formalism to investigate stochastic thermodynamics in the quantum regime, where stochasticity and irreversibility primarily come from quantum measurement. In the absence of any bath, we define a purely quantum component to heat exchange, that corresponds to energy fluctuations caused by quantum measurement. Energetic and entropic signatures of measurement-induced irreversibility are then explored for canonical experiments of quantum optics, and the energetic cost of counter-acting decoherence is studied on a simple state-stabilizing protocol. By placing quantum measurement in a central position, our formalism contributes to bridge a gap between experimental quantum optics and quantum thermodynamics, and opens new paths to characterize the energetic features of quantum processing.