Hybrid normal-superconducting Aharonov-Bohm quantum thermal device

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates a hybrid normal-superconducting Aharonov-Bohm ring as a quantum thermal device, demonstrating its potential as a heat engine and rectifier with high efficiency and rectification, based on quantum interference effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel hybrid quantum thermal device based on an AB ring with N-S leads, showing its capabilities as a heat engine and rectifier with significant efficiency and rectification.

Findings

Quantum heat engine efficiency reaches 55% of Carnot.

Thermal rectification factor attains 350%.

Device exploits quantum interference and superconductivity for phase-coherent caloritronics.

Abstract

We propose and theoretically investigate the behavior of a ballistic Aharonov-Bohm (AB) ring when embedded in a N-S two-terminal setup, consisting of a normal metal (N) and superconducting (S) leads. This device is based on available current technologie and we show in this work that it constitutes a promising hybrid quantum thermal device, as quantum heat engine and quantum thermal rectifier. Remarkably, we evidence the interplay of single-particle quantum interferences in the AB ring and of the superconducting properties of the structure to achieve the hybrid operating mode for this quantum device. Its efficiency as a quantum heat engine reaches $55\%$ of the Carnot efficiency, and we predict thermal rectification factor attaining $350\%$. These predictions make this device highly promising for future phase-coherent caloritronic nanodevices.