Theory of Seebeck ratchet in noncentrosymmetric electron-phonon coupled system

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel thermoelectric effect called Seebeck ratchet in noncentrosymmetric electron-phonon systems, where electron-phonon temperature differences generate electric currents without spatial temperature gradients.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of Seebeck ratchet in solids with asymmetric electron dispersion, highlighting the role of dynamical phonons in inducing dc current.

Findings

Demonstrates a new thermoelectric mechanism in noncentrosymmetric systems

Shows how electron-phonon temperature differences can generate electric currents

Discusses potential experimental realizations of the effect

Abstract

A thermoelectric effect of the noncentrosymmetric electron-phonon coupled system is proposed, in which a temperature difference between electrons and phonons, instead of a spatial temperature gradient, induces an electric current. This is a realization of Seebeck ratchet in solids with the asymmetric energy dispersion of electrons, and the dynamical phonons act as the fluctuation of the scalar potential and induce the dc current. Possible realizations of this mechanism are also discussed.