Quantum coherence thermal transistors

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that quantum coherence in three-level systems enables thermal transistors with negative differential resistance, paving the way for quantum thermal signal processing and management.

Contribution

It introduces a novel quantum thermal transistor based on coherence effects, highlighting its potential for thermal amplification and quantum thermal management.

Findings

Quantum coherence induces negative differential thermal resistance.

Thermal transistors can be realized with three-level quantum systems.

Quantum coherence enhances thermal signal processing efficiency.

Abstract

Coherent control of self-contained quantum systems offers the possibility to fabricate smallest thermal transistors. The steady coherence created by the delocalization of electronic excited states arouses nonlinear heat transports in non-equilibrium environment. Applying this result to a three-level quantum system, we show that quantum coherence gives rise to negative differential thermal resistances, making the thermal transistor suitable for thermal amplification. The results show that quantum coherence facilitates efficient thermal signal processing and can open a new field in the application of quantum thermal management devices.