Quantum Nernst Effect

TL;DR

This paper predicts that in the quantum Hall regime, the Nernst coefficient is suppressed while thermal conductance becomes quantized, highlighting quantum effects in thermomagnetic phenomena of 2D electron gases.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis and numerical demonstration of the quantum Nernst effect, linking edge currents to thermomagnetic responses in quantum Hall systems.

Findings

Nernst coefficient is strongly suppressed in the quantum Hall regime.

Thermal conductance is quantized in the system.

Quantum nature of the Nernst effect is demonstrated numerically.

Abstract

It is theoretically predicted that the Nernst coefficient is strongly suppressed and the thermal conductance is quantized in the quantum Hall regime of the two-dimensional electron gas. The Nernst effect is the induction of a thermomagnetic electromotive force in the $y$ direction under a temperature bias in the $x$ direction and a magnetic field in the $z$ direction. The quantum nature of the Nernst effect is analyzed with the use of a circulating edge current and is demonstrated numerically. The present system is a physical realization of the non-equilibrium steady state.