Electronic heat current rectification in hybrid superconducting devices

In this work, we review and expand recent theoretical proposals for the realization of electronic thermal diodes based on tunnel-junctions of normal metal and superconducting thin films. Starting from the basic rectifying properties of a single hybrid tunnel junction, we will show how the rectificat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIP advances 2015-05, Vol.5 (5), p.053301-053301-12
Main Authors: Fornieri, Antonio, Martínez-Pérez, María José, Giazotto, Francesco
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
DESIGN
Diodes
EFFICIENCY
ENERGY MANAGEMENT
HEAT
HYBRIDIZATION
MATERIALS SCIENCE
SOLIDS
SUPERCONDUCTING DEVICES
Superconductivity
THIN FILMS
TUNNEL EFFECT
Tunnel junctions
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Summary:In this work, we review and expand recent theoretical proposals for the realization of electronic thermal diodes based on tunnel-junctions of normal metal and superconducting thin films. Starting from the basic rectifying properties of a single hybrid tunnel junction, we will show how the rectification efficiency can be largely increased by combining multiple junctions in an asymmetric chain of tunnel-coupled islands. We propose three different designs, analyzing their performance and their potential advantages. Besides being relevant from a fundamental physics point of view, this kind of devices might find important technological application as fundamental building blocks in solid-state thermal nanocircuits and in general-purpose cryogenic electronic applications requiring energy management.
ISSN:2158-3226
2158-3226
DOI:10.1063/1.4915899