Efficiency bounds on thermoelectric transport in magnetic fields: the role of inelastic processes

by Kaoru Yamamoto

at Condensed Matter Theory Seminar

Wed, 28 Dec 2016, 13:30
Physics building (#54) room 207

Abstract

It has been argued that breaking time reversal symmetry which can make the Onsager matrix asymmetric is a way to achieve a high thermoelectric efficiency Benenti et al recently claimed 1 that in this case one can achieve the Carnot efficiency with a finite power which appears to contradict the second law of thermodynamics In order to obtain an asymmetric Onsager matrix we consider an Aharonov Bohm ring threaded by a magnetic flux incorporating electron phonon inelastic scattering 2 We find that breaking time reversal symmetry in the presence of the inelastic process can significantly enhance the figure of merit for delivering electric power by supplying heat from a phonon bath 3 The efficiency is bounded by the non negativity of the entropy production of the original three terminal junction 3 References: 1 G Benenti K Saito and G Casati Phys Rev Lett 106 230602 2011 2 O Entin Wohlman and A Aharony Phys Rev B 85 085401 2012 3 Kaoru Yamamoto Ora Entin Wohlman Amnon Aharony and Naomichi Hatano Phys Rev B 94 121402 2016

Created on 17-12-2016 by Bar Lev, Yevgeny (ybarlev)
Updaded on 17-12-2016 by Bar Lev, Yevgeny (ybarlev)