Thermal rectification properties of multiple-quantum-dot junctions

TL;DR

This paper investigates how multiple-quantum-dot junctions can exhibit significant thermal rectification and negative differential thermal conductance due to asymmetrical tunneling and Coulomb interactions, using a multilevel Anderson model.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical analysis of thermal rectification in multiple-quantum-dot junctions employing the Keldysh Green's function technique.

Findings

Pronounced thermal rectification observed in asymmetric QD junctions.

Negative differential thermal conductance demonstrated under certain conditions.

Strong interdot Coulomb interactions enhance rectification effects.

Abstract

It is illustrated that semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) embedded into an insulating matrix connected with metallic electrodes and some vacuum space can lead to significant thermal rectification effect. A multilevel Anderson model is used to investigate the thermal rectification properties of the multiple-QD junction. The charge and heat currents in the tunneling process are calculated via the Keldysh Green's function technique. We show that pronounced thermal rectification and negative differential thermal conductance (NDTC) behaviors can be observed for the multiple-QD junction with asymmetrical tunneling rates and strong interdot Coulomb interactions.