A Classical Nernst Engine

Abstract

We introduce a simple model for an engine based on the Nernst effect. In the presence of a magnetic field, a vertical heat current can drive a horizontal particle current against a chemical potential. For a microscopic model invoking classical particle trajectories subject to the Lorentz force, we prove a universal bound 3-2*sqrt(2) simeq 0.172 for the ratio between maximum efficiency and Carnot efficiency. This bound, as the slightly lower one 1/6 for efficiency at maximum power, can indeed be saturated for large magnetic field and small fugacity irrespective of the aspect ratio.

5+6 pages, 2 figures

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