Local Temperatures and Heat Flow in Quantum Driven Systems

TL;DR

This paper explores the concept of local temperature in quantum systems driven out of equilibrium, demonstrating its role as an indicator for heat flow and its connection to the Wiedemann-Franz law.

Contribution

It introduces a framework for defining local temperature in non-equilibrium quantum systems and generalizes the Wiedemann-Franz law using this concept.

Findings

Local temperature accurately indicates heat flow in driven quantum systems.

Generalization of the Wiedemann-Franz law using local temperature.

Validation of local temperature as a meaningful thermodynamic indicator.

Abstract

We discuss the concept of local temperature for quantum systems driven out of equilibrium by ac pumps showing explicitly that it is the correct indicator for heat flow. We also show that its use allows for a generalization of the Wiedemann Franz law.