Catalytic Stabilization of Ergotropy and Backflow Suppression in Open Many-Body Quantum Batteries

Quantum batteries (QBs) are often plagued by coherent energy backflow and non-Markovian oscillations when coupled to external chargers, which degrade their ability to store and retain energy. This paper investigates whether an auxiliary quantum system, acting as a catalyst, can mitigate these dissipative dynamics and improve the stability and capacity of many-body quantum batteries.

Using the Lindblad master equation, the authors model a tripartite system consisting of a laser-driven charger, a many-body spin-array battery, and an auxiliary catalytic mode. The catalyst is symmetrically coupled to both the charger and the battery, but direct interaction between the charger and battery is removed. The researchers compare this catalytic setup to a standard bipartite (charger-battery) model, evaluating performance through ergotropy (the maximum extractable work) and the energy dynamics of the catalyst itself.

The numerical simulations demonstrate that the auxiliary system acts as an energy-invariant conduit, maintaining a constant energy expectation value throughout the charging process. By mediating the interaction, the catalyst induces an underdamped-to-overdamped dynamical crossover, which effectively quenches the transient oscillations that typically cause energy backflow. This stabilization prevents population depletion in the battery, resulting in a significantly higher asymptotic steady-state ergotropy compared to unassisted bipartite architectures. The mechanism is robust across varying battery sizes, suggesting a scalable approach for improving quantum energy storage.

This research provides a practical, catalyst-mediated protocol for stabilizing quantum batteries in open-system environments. By demonstrating that an auxiliary mode can suppress dissipative losses without being consumed, the study offers a pathway to more efficient and reliable quantum thermodynamic devices, which are essential for the development of future integrated quantum circuits.