Ratcheting Heat Flux against a Thermal Bias

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how nonlinear lattice junctions can generate and control heat flux against thermal bias using temperature rocking, with potential for reversing heat flow by tuning frequency.

Contribution

It introduces a method to induce and manipulate heat flux against thermal bias through temperature modulation in nonlinear lattice systems.

Findings

Heat flux can be directed from cold to hot against thermal bias.

Frequency tuning of temperature oscillations controls heat flux direction.

Net heat flux can emerge even with zero average temperature difference.

Abstract

Merely rocking the temperature in one heat bath can direct a steady heat flux from cold to hot against a non-zero thermal bias in stylized nonlinear lattice junctions that are sandwiched between two heat baths. Likewise, for an average zero-temperature difference between the two contacts a net, ratchet-like heat flux emerges. Computer simulations show that this very heat flux can be controlled and reversed by suitably tailoring the frequency ($\lesssim$ 100 MHz) of the alternating temperature field.