Extracting work using a quantum optomechanical Szilard-like engine

We examine the extractable work through measurement back-action from a thermal bath using an optomechanical Szilard-like engine. The engine's working medium consists of a two-mode Gaussian state. To evaluate the engine's ability to leverage information for work extraction, we define its efficiency as the ratio of extracted work to erasure work. Using realistic experimental parameters, we demonstrate that the extractable work can be controlled via the optomechanical coupling strength. Maximum work and efficiency are achieved when the cavity is detuned into resonance with the Stokes-sideband of the driving laser. Under thermal effects, the extractable work exhibits a freezing behaviour, i.e. it increases with the environmental temperature until a maximum value, then remains constant despite the increase of temperature. Also, we analyse the extractable work outside the cavity in the frequency domain. This exploration of quantum effects in thermodynamic tasks has potential to inspire advances in the design of nanoscale thermal machines.