An interacting adiabatic quantum motor

TL;DR

This paper develops a field theoretic model of an adiabatic quantum motor, specifically a Thouless motor, analyzing how electron interactions influence its behavior and dissipation, with applications to nanomagnet systems.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework for understanding an adiabatic quantum motor with electron interactions, including the effects on friction and dissipation, extending previous models.

Findings

Interactions increase the gap opened by the periodic potential.

Electron-electron interactions enhance coupling-induced friction in an infinite Luttinger liquid.

Dissipation reduces to noninteracting levels when coupled to Fermi liquid reservoirs.

Abstract

We present a field theoretic treatment of an adiabatic quantum motor. We explicitly discuss a motor termed Thouless motor which is based on a Thouless pump operating in reverse. When a sliding periodic potential is considered as the motor degree of freedom, a bias voltage applied to the electron channel sets the motor in motion. We investigate a Thouless motor whose electron channel is modeled as a Luttinger liquid. Interactions increase the gap opened by the periodic potential. For an infinite Luttinger liquid the coupling induced friction is enhanced by electron-electron interactions. When the LL is ultimately coupled to Fermi liquid reservoirs, the dissipation reduces to its value for a noninteracting electron system for a constant motor velocity. Our results can also be applied to a motor based on a nanomagnet coupled to a quantum spin Hall edge.