  Describing the thermodynamic properties of quantum systems far from
equilibrium is challenging, in particular when the system is strongly coupled
to its environment, or when memory effects cannot be neglected. Here, we
address such regimes when the system-baths couplings are periodically modulated
in time. We show that the couplings modulation, usually associated to a purely
dissipative effect when done nonadiabatically, can be suitably engineered to
perform thermodynamic tasks. In particular, asymmetric couplings to two heat
baths can be used to extract heat from the cold reservoir and to realize an
ideal heat rectifier, where the heat current can be blocked either in the
forward or in the reverse configuration by simply tuning the frequency of the
couplings modulation. Interestingly, both effects take place in the
low-temperature, quantum non Markovian regime. Our work paves the way for the
use of optimal control techniques for heat engines and refrigerators working in
regimes beyond standard approaches.

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics;Quantum Physics