Thermoelectric transport through strongly correlated quantum dots

TL;DR

This paper investigates thermoelectric properties of strongly correlated quantum dots using numerical renormalization group, revealing sign changes in thermopower linked to Kondo physics and discussing implications for thermoelectric efficiency.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of thermoelectric transport in quantum dots across different correlation regimes, highlighting signatures of Kondo physics in thermopower behavior.

Findings

Thermopower exhibits two sign changes in the Kondo regime.

Sign changes in S(T) are sensitive indicators of strong correlations.

The study discusses violations of the Wiedemann-Franz law in quantum dots.

Abstract

The thermoelectric properties of strongly correlated quantum dots, described by a single level Anderson model coupled to conduction electron leads, is investigated using Wilson's numerical renormalization group method. We calculate the electronic contribution, $K_{\rm e}$, to the thermal conductance, the thermopower, $S$, and the electrical conductance, $G$, of a quantum dot as a function of both temperature, $T$, and gate voltage, ${\rm v}_g$, for strong, intermediate and weak Coulomb correlations, $U$, on the dot. For strong correlations and in the Kondo regime, we find that the thermopower exhibits two sign changes, at temperatures $T_{1}({\rm v}_g)$ and $T_{2}({\rm v}_g)$ with $T_{1}< T_{2}$. Such sign changes in $S(T)$ are particularly sensitive signatures of strong correlations and Kondo physics. The relevance of this to recent thermopower measurements of Kondo correlated quantum dots is discussed. We discuss the figure of merit, power factor and the degree of violation of the Wiedemann-Franz law in quantum dots. The extent of temperature scaling in the thermopower and thermal conductance of quantum dots in the Kondo regime is also assessed.