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Heat transport and rectification via quantum statistical and coherence asymmetries
Stephania Palafox1, Ricardo Román-Ancheyta1, Barış Çakmak2,3
1Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica, Calle Luis Enrique Erro No.1 Santa María Tonantzintla, Puebla CP 72840, Mexico.
Physical Review. E
|December 23, 2022
Summary
Quantum thermal rectifiers exhibit diode-like behavior at the nanoscale. Their heat transport depends on quantum statistics and coherence, deviating from classical models and offering new possibilities for thermal management.
Area of Science:
- Quantum Thermodynamics
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Nanoscale Heat Transfer
Background:
- Thermal rectifiers, analogous to electrical diodes, control heat flow.
- Quantum effects become significant in nanoscale thermal transport.
- Understanding quantum heat transport is crucial for novel thermal devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate quantum heat transport in two-terminal thermal rectifiers.
- Analyze the impact of particle statistics, coherence, and interactions.
- Explore deviations from classical heat transport models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a collision model approach for open quantum system dynamics.
- Derived a general expression for nonlinear heat flow.
- Examined the influence of bath particle properties (statistics, coherence).
Main Results:
- Quantum statistical or coherence asymmetries in baths lead to deviations from the Landauer formula.
- Heat rectification is achievable even with symmetric couplings if baths differ in quantum properties.
- Thermal conductance shows exponential vanishing at low temperatures and power-law behavior at high temperatures, dependent on quantum statistics.
Conclusions:
- Quantum statistics and coherence are key factors in nanoscale thermal rectification.
- Results provide a foundation for designing hybrid open quantum systems and solid-state thermal circuits.
- The findings have implications for advanced heat management strategies.
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