Sufficient conditions for thermal rectification in hybrid quantum structures

TL;DR

This paper analytically establishes conditions under which hybrid quantum structures exhibit thermal rectification, classifying rectifiers into two types based on contact similarity and system-bath properties.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework identifying sufficient conditions for thermal rectification in hybrid quantum systems, considering contact types and particle statistics.

Findings

Two classes of rectifiers identified: dissimilar contacts and equivalent contacts with differing particle statistics.

Applicable to metals, dielectrics, and spin systems.

Provides analytical criteria for thermal rectification in quantum structures.

Abstract

We analytically identify sufficient conditions for manifesting thermal rectification in two-terminal hybrid structures within the quantum master equation formalism. We recognize two classes of rectifiers. In type A rectifiers the contacts are dissimilar. In type B rectifiers the contacts are equivalent, but the system and baths have different particle statistics, and the system is (parametrically) asymmetrically coupled to the baths. Our study applies to various hybrid junctions including metals, dielectrics, and spins.