Non-linear regime for enhanced performance of an Aharonov-Bohm heat engine

TL;DR

This paper explores the non-linear regime of an Aharonov-Bohm heat engine, demonstrating its tunability, high efficiency, and thermopower, highlighting its potential for quantum thermal machine applications.

Contribution

It extends previous linear response results to the non-linear regime, showing enhanced performance and tunability of the quantum heat engine.

Findings

Demonstrates large efficiency in the non-linear regime

Shows tunability of thermopower and performance

Confirms potential for quantum thermal machine development

Abstract

Thermal transport and quantum thermodynamics at the nanoscale is nowadays garnering an increasing attention, in particular in the context of quantum technologies. Experiments relevant for quantum technology are expected to be performed in the non-linear regime. In this work, we build on previous results derived in the linear response regime for the performance of an Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometer operated as heat engine. In the non-linear regime, we demonstrate the tunability, large efficiency and thermopower that this mesoscopic quantum machine can achieve, confirming the exciting perspectives that this AB ring offers for developing efficient thermal machines in the fully quantum regime.