  The Higgs RNA-Model is studied in regard to finite-time driving protocols
with minimal-work requirement. In this paper, RNA sequences which at low
temperature exhibits hairpins are considered, which are often cited as typical
template systems in stochastic thermodynamics. The optimized work protocols for
this glassy many-particle system are determined numerically using the parallel
tempering method. The protocols show distinct jumps at the beginning and end,
which have been observed previously already for single-particle systems.
Counter intuitively, optimality seems to be achieved by staying close to the
equilibrium unfolding transition point. The change of work distributions,
compared to those resulting from a naive linear driving protocol, are discussed
generally and in terms of free energy estimation as well as the effect of
optimized protocols on rare work process starting conditions.
