In this talk, I will introduce a non-equilibrium work theorem in statistical mechanics—known as Jarzynski equality. Jarzynski equality is widely regarded as one of the most important developments in statistical mechanics in the last two decades. I will summarize both the theoretical and experimental efforts of this field in the order of the historical developments. Both quantum and classical versions of this theorem will be included. Finally, a possible experimental proposal for verifying the quantum Jarzynski equality in a trapped ion system will be discussed.
 

Haitao Quan obtained his bachelor’s degree and his PhD from Central South University and Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2002 and 2007, respectively. From 2007 to 2010 he was a postdoctoral fellow in Los Alamos National Laboratory. From 2010 to 2012 he was a research associate at the University of Maryland, college park. He joined school of physics, Peking University as a junior faculty in Dec. 2012. His main research interests lie in statistical mechanics and quantum physics. He has published more than 20 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals with a total citation of more than 700 times.