Adiabatic response and quantum thermoelectrics for ac driven quantum systems

TL;DR

This paper extends thermoelectric theory to adiabatically driven quantum systems, incorporating quantum pumping and work exchange, and analyzes their efficiency and reciprocity properties.

Contribution

It introduces a generalized thermoelectric framework for coherent quantum systems under adiabatic ac driving, including quantum pumping effects.

Findings

Response coefficients obey Onsager reciprocity.

Framework applies to quantum motors, generators, heat engines, and heat pumps.

Characterizes efficiencies and figures of merit for these devices.

Abstract

We generalize the theory of thermoelectrics to include coherent electron systems under adiabatic ac driving, accounting for quantum pumping of charge and heat as well as the associated work exchange between electron system and driving potentials. We derive the relevant response coefficients in the adiabatic regime and show that they obey Onsager reciprocity relations. We analyze the consequences of our generalized thermoelectric framework for quantum motors, generators, heat engines, and heat pumps, characterizing them in terms of efficiencies and figures of merit.