Heat, molecular vibrations, and adiabatic driving in non-equilibrium transport through interacting quantum dots

TL;DR

This review explores charge and heat transport in quantum dots and molecular junctions under non-equilibrium conditions, focusing on thermoelectric applications, vibrational effects, and time-dependent driving as a spectroscopic tool.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of how discrete energy levels, molecular vibrations, and dynamic modulation influence transport and thermoelectric efficiency in quantum dot systems.

Findings

Discrete level spectrum enhances thermoelectric performance.

Molecular vibrations can reduce energy conversion efficiency.

Time-dependent modulation serves as a spectroscopic tool for transport analysis.

Abstract

In this article we review aspects of charge and heat transport in interacting quantum dots and molecular junctions under stationary and time-dependent non-equilibrium conditions due to finite electrical and thermal bias. In particular, we discuss how a discrete level spectrum can be beneficial for thermoelectric applications, and investigate the detrimental effects of molecular vibrations on the efficiency of a molecular quantum dot as an energy converter. In addition, we consider the effects of a slow time-dependent modulation of applied voltages on the transport properties of a quantum dot and show how this can be used as a spectroscopic tool complementary to standard dc-measurements. Finally, we combine time-dependent driving with thermoelectrics in a double-quantum dot system - a nanoscale analogue of a cyclic heat engine - and discuss its operation and the main limitations to its performance.