Scattering theory of nonlinear thermoelectric transport

TL;DR

This paper develops a scattering theory framework to analyze nonlinear thermoelectric transport in quantum conductors, focusing on charge, entropy transfer, and interaction effects on thermopower.

Contribution

It introduces a model that accounts for nonequilibrium screening, particle and entropic injectivities, and interaction effects in thermoelectric transport.

Findings

Charge and entropy transfer are characterized by injectivities.

Interaction effects significantly influence thermopower under large temperature gradients.

Voltage and thermal rectification are demonstrated in a resonant tunneling barrier.

Abstract

We investigate nonlinear transport properties of quantum conductors in response to both electrical and thermal driving forces. Within scattering approach, we determine the nonequilibrium screening potential of a generic mesoscopic system and find that its response is dictated by particle and entropic injectivities which describe the charge and entropy transfer during transport. We illustrate our model analyzing the voltage and thermal rectification of a resonant tunneling barrier. Importantly, we discuss interaction induced contributions to the thermopower in the presence of large temperature differences.