Thermoelectric efficiency of nanoscale devices in the linear regime

Abstract

We study quantum transport through two-terminal nanoscale devices in contact with two particle reservoirs at different temperatures and chemical potentials. We discuss the general expressions controlling the electric charge current, heat currents and the efficiency of energy transmutation in steady conditions in the linear regime. With focus in the parameter domain where the electron system acts as a power-generator, we elaborate workable expressions for optimal efficiency and thermoelectric pameters of nanoscale devices. The general concepts are set at work in the paradigmatic cases of Lorentzian resonances and antiresonances, and the encompassing Fano transmission function: the treatments are fully analytic, in terms of the trigamma functions and Bernoulli numbers. From the general curves here reported describing transport through the above model transmission functions, useful guidelines for optimal efficiency and thermopower can be inferred for engineering nanoscale devices in energy regions where they show similar transmission functions.

arXiv comment33 pages, 10 figures, Published

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• Quantum coherent control of nonlinear thermoelectric transport in a triple-dot Aharonov-Bohm heat engine
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• Non-equilibrium thermoelectric transport across normal metal-Quantum dot-Superconductor hybrid system within the Coulomb blockade regime
• Analytic treatment of the thermoelectric properties for two coupled quantum dots threaded by magnetic fields
• A Strongly Correlated Quantum-Dot Heat Engine with Optimal Performance: An Non-equilibrium Green's function Approach
• Quantum coherent control of linear and nonlinear thermoelectricity on graphene nanostructure heat engines
• Regimes and quantum bounds of nanoscale thermoelectrics with peaked transmission function