Double quantum dot as a minimal thermoelectric generator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that double quantum dots can serve as a minimal thermoelectric generator, converting environmental thermal energy into electrical power, with one dot acting as n-type and the other as p-type device.

Contribution

It introduces a minimal thermoelectric generator based on double quantum dots using numerical renormalization group calculations, highlighting their potential for energy harvesting.

Findings

Double quantum dots can function as thermoelectric generators in the Kondo regime.

One quantum dot acts as n-type and the other as p-type thermoelectric device.

The setup provides a miniature power supply utilizing environmental thermal energy.

Abstract

Based on numerical renormalization group calculations, we demonstrate that experimentally realized double quantum dots constitute a minimal thermoelectric generator. In the Kondo regime, one quantum dot acts as an n-type and the other one as a p-type thermoelectric device. Properly connected the double quantum dot provides a miniature power supply utilizing the thermal energy of the environment.