Fluctuation-Dissipation Limits in Quantum Thermoelectric Transport

TL;DR

This paper establishes universal fluctuation-dissipation bounds in quantum thermoelectric transport, linking energy fluctuations to entropy production and steady currents, applicable across various regimes and useful for nanoscale device design.

Contribution

It introduces universal bounds connecting fluctuations, dissipation, and transport in quantum thermodynamics, valid for all steady states and quantum regimes.

Findings

Bounds hold for arbitrary temperature and chemical potential gradients.

Quantum effects can break classical thermodynamic uncertainty relations.

Derived constraints inform the design of nanoscale quantum thermal devices.

Abstract

As a fundamental measure of stability in nonequilibrium thermodynamics, fluctuations provide critical insight into the performance and reliability of heat engines. In this work, we establish universal fluctuation-dissipation bounds that directly link energy-current fluctuations to both the entropy production rate and steady-state transport currents. Our results are applicable to arbitrary temperature and chemical potential gradients and hold for all steady states within the framework of quantum scattering theory. These bounds remain robust even in regimes where quantum effects break classical thermodynamic uncertainty relations. We demonstrate their validity by using boxcar transmission functions and further derive constraints on the power output from the perspective of fluctuations and dissipation, offering a unified thermodynamic guideline for the design and evaluation of nanoscale and quantum thermal devices.