Quantum Nernst engines

TL;DR

This paper proposes quantum Hall edge state-based Nernst engines that demonstrate high thermodynamic efficiency and asymmetry in heat and charge transport, outperforming classical counterparts, with improved designs using energy filtering.

Contribution

It introduces novel quantum Nernst engine setups leveraging quantum Hall edge states and anti-dots, achieving superior efficiency and asymmetry in thermoelectric transport.

Findings

Engine exhibits extreme asymmetry between heat and charge transport coefficients.

Quantum Nernst engines outperform classical designs in thermodynamic efficiency.

Anti-dot based setup enhances efficiency by reducing energy filtering strength.

Abstract

We theoretically propose Nernst engines based on quantum Hall edge states. We identify a setup that exhibits an extreme asymmetry between the off-diagonal Onsager coefficients for heat and charge transport. In terms of thermodynamic efficiency, this engine outperforms a recently proposed classical Nernst engine. A second setup using an anti-dot is found to be more efficient as energy filtering becomes less strong.