Thermal rectification effect of an interacting quantum dot

TL;DR

This paper studies how a single interacting quantum dot with two energy levels can exhibit thermal rectification, acting as a thermal diode under asymmetric coupling conditions, using nonequilibrium Green function methods.

Contribution

It demonstrates the thermal rectification effect in an interacting quantum dot with two levels, highlighting the role of asymmetric tunnel couplings in heat transport.

Findings

Strong heat current asymmetry observed with asymmetric tunnel couplings.

Quantum dot can function as a thermal rectifier in specific configurations.

Theoretical prediction based on nonequilibrium Green function approach.

Abstract

We investigate nonlinear thermal transport properties of a single interacting quantum dot with two energy levels tunnel-coupled to two electrodes using nonequilibrium Green function method and Hartree-Fock decoupling approximation. In the case of asymmetric tunnel-couplings to two electrodes, for example, when the upper level of the quantum dot is open for transport, whereas the lower level is blocked, our calculations predict a strong asymmetry for the heat (energy) current, which shows that, the quantum dot system may act as a thermal rectifier in this specific situation.