Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machines

The efficiency of a thermal engine working in the linear response regime in a multi-terminal configuration is discussed. For the generic three-terminal case, we provide a general definition of local and non-local transport coefficients: electrical and thermal conductances, and thermoelectric powers....

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Main Authors: Francesco Mazza, Riccardo Bosisio, Giuliano Benenti, Vittorio Giovannetti, Rosario Fazio, Fabio Taddei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2014-01-01
Series:New Journal of Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/16/8/085001
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author Francesco Mazza
Riccardo Bosisio
Giuliano Benenti
Vittorio Giovannetti
Rosario Fazio
Fabio Taddei
author_facet Francesco Mazza
Riccardo Bosisio
Giuliano Benenti
Vittorio Giovannetti
Rosario Fazio
Fabio Taddei
author_sort Francesco Mazza
collection DOAJ
description The efficiency of a thermal engine working in the linear response regime in a multi-terminal configuration is discussed. For the generic three-terminal case, we provide a general definition of local and non-local transport coefficients: electrical and thermal conductances, and thermoelectric powers. Within the Onsager formalism, we derive analytical expressions for the efficiency at maximum power, which can be written in terms of generalized figures of merit. Furthermore, using two examples, we investigate numerically how a third terminal could improve the performance of a quantum system, and under which conditions non-local thermoelectric effects can be observed.
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spelling doaj.art-85444f37127d4de5b3e4ee5e7c0c7a6d2023-08-08T11:31:01ZengIOP PublishingNew Journal of Physics1367-26302014-01-0116808500110.1088/1367-2630/16/8/085001Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machinesFrancesco Mazza0Riccardo Bosisio1Giuliano Benenti2Vittorio Giovannetti3Rosario Fazio4Fabio Taddei5NEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, and Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR , I-56126 Pisa, ItalyService de Physique de l’ État Condensé (CNRS URA 2464) , IRAMIS/SPEC, CEA Saclay, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, FranceCNISM and Center for Nonlinear and Complex Systems, Universitá degli Studi dell’ Insubria , via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare , Sezione di Milano, via Celoria 16, 20133 Milano, ItalyNEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, and Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR , I-56126 Pisa, ItalyNEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, and Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR , I-56126 Pisa, ItalyNEST, Scuola Normale Superiore, and Istituto Nanoscienze-CNR , I-56126 Pisa, ItalyThe efficiency of a thermal engine working in the linear response regime in a multi-terminal configuration is discussed. For the generic three-terminal case, we provide a general definition of local and non-local transport coefficients: electrical and thermal conductances, and thermoelectric powers. Within the Onsager formalism, we derive analytical expressions for the efficiency at maximum power, which can be written in terms of generalized figures of merit. Furthermore, using two examples, we investigate numerically how a third terminal could improve the performance of a quantum system, and under which conditions non-local thermoelectric effects can be observed.https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/16/8/085001thermoelectric and thermomagnetic effectsnonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamicselectronic transport in mesoscopic systems72.20.Pa05.70.Ln73.23.-b
spellingShingle Francesco Mazza
Riccardo Bosisio
Giuliano Benenti
Vittorio Giovannetti
Rosario Fazio
Fabio Taddei
Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machines
New Journal of Physics
thermoelectric and thermomagnetic effects
nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics
electronic transport in mesoscopic systems
72.20.Pa
05.70.Ln
73.23.-b
title Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machines
title_full Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machines
title_fullStr Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machines
title_full_unstemmed Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machines
title_short Thermoelectric efficiency of three-terminal quantum thermal machines
title_sort thermoelectric efficiency of three terminal quantum thermal machines
topic thermoelectric and thermomagnetic effects
nonequilibrium and irreversible thermodynamics
electronic transport in mesoscopic systems
72.20.Pa
05.70.Ln
73.23.-b
url https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/16/8/085001
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AT vittoriogiovannetti thermoelectricefficiencyofthreeterminalquantumthermalmachines
AT rosariofazio thermoelectricefficiencyofthreeterminalquantumthermalmachines
AT fabiotaddei thermoelectricefficiencyofthreeterminalquantumthermalmachines