Thermopower of a Quantum Dot in a Coherent Region

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates thermoelectric power in quantum dots, revealing a new structure linked to transmission zeros that indicates electron coherence levels.

Contribution

It introduces the concept that transmission zeros cause a novel thermopower feature, providing a way to assess coherence in quantum dot electron transmission.

Findings

A new thermopower structure appears between resonant peaks.

The structure is linked to transmission zeros in coherent transport.

The structure's sensitivity to phase-breaking effects indicates coherence levels.

Abstract

Thermoelectric power due to coherent electron transmission through a quantum dot is theoretically studied. In addition to the known features related to resonant peaks, we show that a novel significant structure appears between the peaks. This structure arises from the so-called transmission zero, which is characteristic of coherent transmission through several quantum levels. Because of sensitivity to phase-breaking effect in quantum dots, this novel structure indicates degree of coherency in the electron transmission.