Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power Output
This work considers the nonlinear scattering theory for three-terminal thermoelectric devices used for power generation or refrigeration. Such systems are quantum phase-coherent versions of a thermocouple, and the theory applies to systems in which interactions can be treated at a mean-field level....
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2016-05-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/18/6/208 |
| _version_ | 1811303756520751104 |
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| author | Robert S. Whitney |
| author_facet | Robert S. Whitney |
| author_sort | Robert S. Whitney |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This work considers the nonlinear scattering theory for three-terminal thermoelectric devices used for power generation or refrigeration. Such systems are quantum phase-coherent versions of a thermocouple, and the theory applies to systems in which interactions can be treated at a mean-field level. It considers an arbitrary three-terminal system in any external magnetic field, including systems with broken time-reversal symmetry, such as chiral thermoelectrics, as well as systems in which the magnetic field plays no role. It is shown that the upper bound on efficiency at given power output is of quantum origin and is stricter than Carnot’s bound. The bound is exactly the same as previously found for two-terminal devices and can be achieved by three-terminal systems with or without broken time-reversal symmetry, i.e., chiral and non-chiral thermoelectrics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:53:40Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7fd34f36098c4a448aaacaecf4a7a6b3 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T07:53:40Z |
| publishDate | 2016-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-7fd34f36098c4a448aaacaecf4a7a6b32022-12-22T02:55:28ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002016-05-0118620810.3390/e18060208e18060208Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power OutputRobert S. Whitney0Laboratoire de Physique et Modélisation des Milieux Condensés, UMR 5493 CNRS, Université de Grenoble, 38042 Grenoble, FranceThis work considers the nonlinear scattering theory for three-terminal thermoelectric devices used for power generation or refrigeration. Such systems are quantum phase-coherent versions of a thermocouple, and the theory applies to systems in which interactions can be treated at a mean-field level. It considers an arbitrary three-terminal system in any external magnetic field, including systems with broken time-reversal symmetry, such as chiral thermoelectrics, as well as systems in which the magnetic field plays no role. It is shown that the upper bound on efficiency at given power output is of quantum origin and is stricter than Carnot’s bound. The bound is exactly the same as previously found for two-terminal devices and can be achieved by three-terminal systems with or without broken time-reversal symmetry, i.e., chiral and non-chiral thermoelectrics.http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/18/6/208quantum thermodynamicsCarnot efficiencylaws of thermodynamicsnanostructurescoherent transportquantum hall effect |
| spellingShingle | Robert S. Whitney Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power Output Entropy quantum thermodynamics Carnot efficiency laws of thermodynamics nanostructures coherent transport quantum hall effect |
| title | Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power Output |
| title_full | Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power Output |
| title_fullStr | Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power Output |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power Output |
| title_short | Quantum Coherent Three-Terminal Thermoelectrics: Maximum Efficiency at Given Power Output |
| title_sort | quantum coherent three terminal thermoelectrics maximum efficiency at given power output |
| topic | quantum thermodynamics Carnot efficiency laws of thermodynamics nanostructures coherent transport quantum hall effect |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/18/6/208 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT robertswhitney quantumcoherentthreeterminalthermoelectricsmaximumefficiencyatgivenpoweroutput |