Thermoelectric efficiency of nanoscale devices in the linear regime

We study quantum transport through two-terminal nanoscale devices in contact with two particle reservoirs at different temperatures and chemical potentials. We discuss the general expressions controlling the electric charge current, heat currents, and the efficiency of energy transmutation in steady...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review. B 2016-12, Vol.94 (24), Article 245419
Main Authors: Bevilacqua, G., Grosso, G., Menichetti, G., Pastori Parravicini, G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Devices
Efficiency
Electric contacts
Energy transmission
Nanotechnology devices
Organic chemistry
Parameters
Quantum transport
Thermoelectricity
Transmutation
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Summary:We study quantum transport through two-terminal nanoscale devices in contact with two particle reservoirs at different temperatures and chemical potentials. We discuss the general expressions controlling the electric charge current, heat currents, and the efficiency of energy transmutation in steady conditions in the linear regime. With focus in the parameter domain where the electron system acts as a power generator, we elaborate workable expressions for optimal efficiency and thermoelectric parameters of nanoscale devices. The general concepts are set at work in the paradigmatic cases of Lorentzian resonances and antiresonances, and the encompassing Fano transmission function: the treatments are fully analytic, in terms of the trigamma functions and Bernoulli numbers. From the general curves here reported describing transport through the above model transmission functions, useful guidelines for optimal efficiency and thermopower can be inferred for engineering nanoscale devices in energy regions where they show similar transmission functions.
ISSN:2469-9950
2469-9969
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevB.94.245419