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Thermoelectric effect in an Aharonov-Bohm ring with an embedded quantum dot
Jun Zheng1, Feng Chi, Xiao-Dong Lu
1College of Engineering, Bohai University, Jinzhou 121013, China. chifeng@semi.ac.cn.
Nanoscale Research Letters
|February 29, 2012
Summary
High thermoelectric efficiency was achieved in a quantum dot (QD) interferometer due to the Fano effect. Thermoelectric properties depend on coupling strengths and Coulomb repulsion, enabling high figure-of-merit (ZT) at elevated temperatures.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Thermoelectric devices convert heat to electricity.
- Quantum dots exhibit unique electronic properties.
- Aharonov-Bohm interferometers probe quantum interference.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the thermoelectric effect in a quantum dot (QD) embedded Aharonov-Bohm interferometer.
- Analyze the influence of quantum interference and Coulomb blockade on thermoelectric properties.
- Determine the thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) and its dependencies.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Keldysh Green's function method for calculations.
- Modeled an Aharonov-Bohm interferometer with an embedded QD in the Coulomb blockade regime.
- Calculated electrical conductance, electron thermal conductance, and thermopower.
Main Results:
- The figure-of-merit (ZT) can be significantly enhanced by the Fano effect, arising from quantum interference.
- Thermoelectric efficiency is sensitive to dot-lead and inter-lead coupling strengths.
- Intradot Coulomb repulsion plays a crucial role in ZT, especially in the weak-coupling regime.
Conclusions:
- High thermoelectric performance is achievable in QD-based Aharonov-Bohm interferometers.
- Tailoring coupling strengths and managing Coulomb repulsion are key for optimizing thermoelectric efficiency.
- The Fano effect offers a pathway to high ZT values at practical operating temperatures.
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