Nonlinear heat transport in mesoscopic conductors: Rectification, Peltier effect and Wiedemann-Franz law

TL;DR

This paper explores nonlinear heat transport phenomena in mesoscopic conductors, revealing effects like rectification, nonlinear Peltier response, and deviations from the Wiedemann-Franz law through a scattering theory approach.

Contribution

It introduces a self-consistent scattering theory framework to analyze nonlinear heat transport, including rectification and Peltier effects, in mesoscopic systems.

Findings

Demonstrates heat rectification in quantum dots

Identifies nonlinear contributions to the Peltier effect

Finds deviations from Wiedemann-Franz law in nonlinear regime

Abstract

We investigate nonlinear heat properties in mesoscopic conductors using a scattering theory of transport. Our approach is based on a leading-order expansion in both the electrical and thermal driving forces. Beyond linear response, the transport coefficients are functions of the nonequilibrium screening potential that builds up in the system due to interactions. Within a mean-field approximation, we self-consistently calculate the heat rectification properties of a quantum dot attached to two terminals. We discuss nonlinear contributions to the Peltier effect and find departures from the Wiedemann-Franz law in the nonlinear regime of transport.