Four-level entangled quantum heat engines

Based on a two-qubit one-dimensional isotropic spin-1∕2 Heisenberg spin chain in a constant external magnetic field, we construct a four-level entangled quantum heat engine (QHE) and investigate the influence of entanglement between two qubits on basic thermodynamic quantities, i.e., the heat transferred and the work done in a cycle, and the efficiency of the QHE. The validity of the second law of thermodynamics is confirmed in the entangled system. We also find several interesting features of the variation of the efficiency with the entanglement of two different thermal equilibrium states in a work cycle in zero and finite magnetic field. An abrupt transition of efficiency is found in zero field.