Transport in partially equilibrated inhomogeneous quantum wires

TL;DR

This paper investigates how weak interactions and large-scale inhomogeneities influence transport, thermal, and thermoelectric properties of one-dimensional quantum wires, revealing increased resistance and altered thermoelectric effects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of the combined effects of interactions and inhomogeneities on transport and thermoelectric properties in quantum wires, including new calculations of thermal conductance, thermopower, and Peltier coefficient.

Findings

Interactions and inhomogeneities increase wire resistance.

Interactions significantly alter thermoelectric properties.

Calculated thermal conductance, thermopower, and Peltier coefficient.

Abstract

We study transport properties of weakly interacting one-dimensional electron systems including on an equal footing thermal equilibration due to three-particle collisions and the effects of large-scale inhomogeneities. We show that equilibration in an inhomogeneous quantum wire is characterized by the competition of interaction processes which reduce the electrons total momentum and such which change the number of right- and left-moving electrons. We find that the combined effect of interactions and inhomogeneities can dramatically increase the resistance of the wire. In addition, we find that the interactions strongly affect the thermoelectric properties of inhomogeneous wires and calculate their thermal conductance, thermopower, and Peltier coefficient.