Thermoelectric processes of quantum normal-superconductor interfaces

TL;DR

This paper reviews the mechanisms behind thermoelectric effects in normal-superconductor interfaces, highlighting their potential for heat-to-power conversion, cooling, and revealing physical properties of hybrid devices.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of thermoelectric phenomena in hybrid normal-superconductor interfaces, emphasizing the influence of dimensionality and device properties.

Findings

Different mechanisms drive thermoelectric responses depending on interface dimensionality

Superconducting interfaces can exhibit significant thermoelectric effects despite electron-hole symmetry

Thermoelectric effects can be used to probe physical properties of hybrid devices

Abstract

Superconducting interfaces have recently been demonstrated to contain a rich variety of effects that give rise to sizable thermoelectric responses and unexpected thermal properties, despite traditionally being considered poor thermoelectrics due to their intrinsic electron-hole symmetry. We review different mechanisms driving this response in hybrid normal-superconducting junctions, depending on the dimensionality of the mesoscopic interface. In addition to discussing heat to power conversion, cooling and heat transport, special emphasis is put on physical properties of hybrid devices that can be revealed by the thermoelectric effect.