Autonomous quantum heat engine using an electron shuttle

Abstract

We propose an autonomous quantum heat engine based on the thermally driven oscillation of a single electron shuttle. The electronic degree of freedom of this device acts as an internal dynamical controller which switches the interaction of the engine with the thermal baths. We show that in addition to energy flux through the thermal baths, a flux of energy is attributed to the controller and it affects the engine power.

22 pages (9 pages + 13 pages appendices), 14 figures