Does Zeno Freeze the Evolution? On Quantum Heating, Cooling and Freezing. - Gershon Kurizki

We show, both theoretically and experimentally, that frequent quantum measurements may cause an open quantum system, i.e., a system coupled to a bath, to heat up or cool down depending on the rate of measurements and the size of the bath. Under special conditions, the state of both the system and the bath may be "frozen" by measurements. These findings shatter the accepted notions of Zeno as well as conventional equilibration in thermodynamics. Practical applications to quantum cooling are discussed.