Magnetic-field asymmetry of nonlinear thermoelectric and heat transport

TL;DR

This paper investigates how magnetic fields cause asymmetries in nonlinear thermoelectric and heat transport in mesoscopic systems, using scattering theory and applying results to a quantum Hall antidot.

Contribution

It introduces a scattering theory framework for analyzing magnetic-field asymmetries in nonlinear thermoelectric and heat transport, highlighting configuration-dependent effects.

Findings

Magnetic-field asymmetries depend on screening potential responses.

Certain symmetry parameters vary with measurement configuration.

Results are exemplified in a quantum Hall antidot system.

Abstract

Nonlinear transport coefficients do not obey, in general, reciprocity relations. We here discuss the magnetic-field asymmetries that arise in thermoelectric and heat transport of mesoscopic systems. Based on a scattering theory of weakly nonlinear transport, we analyze the leading-order symmetry parameters in terms of the screening potential response to either voltage or temperature shifts. We apply our general results to a quantum Hall antidot system. Interestingly, we find that certain symmetry parameters show a dependence on the measurement configuration.